ONE FC: Rise of Heroes - Fight Card Updates

[Keithlewis]

Fernandes vs Ueda Set for ONE FC: Rise of Heroes on May 2


ONE FC, Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization with a 90% market share, returns to the Philippines for another blockbuster event on 2 May 2014 at the world-renowned SM Mall of Asia Arena. The main event will feature reigning ONE FC Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes defending his title against Japanese sensation Masakatsu Ueda. Two of the top Featherweights in Asia, Rob Lisita and Yusuke Kawanago, will also meet in what is expected to be a slugfest, while rising Malaysian star Gianni Subba battles local favorite Eugene Toquero in Flyweight action.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship Victor Cui stated, “Expect ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES to be a night of explosive knockouts and exciting finishes as we return to the Philippines with probably the most exciting fight card ever! The 10 bouts that are planned for the night will feature the biggest stars from the Philippines and around the world. These bouts set the tone for a blockbuster card that will keep fans from around the world on the edge of their seats.”

Bibiano Fernandes is arguably the most decorated mixed martial artist in the world today. At ONE FC: TOTAL DOMINATION, he unified the ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship by defeating Soo Chul Kim in impressive fashion. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with multiple world Jiu-Jitsu tournament wins, Fernandes will have the toughest test of his historic career when he takes on Japanese sensation Masakatsu Ueda.

Masakatsu Ueda is the former Shooto Featherweight Champion, a belt he defended successfully three times. He has an outstanding 18-2-2 record which marks him out as being one of the best Bantamweights in the world. He was also a very successful collegiate wrestler who won numerous national wrestling competitions in Japan as well as the All Japan Shooto Grappling Championship. With both fighters entering the famed ONE FC cage to compete for the right to be considered the best at their weight class, this will undoubtedly be an explosive affair.

Rob Lisita is the best Featherweight to emerge from Australia. He has fought in numerous smaller organizations and after chalking up an impressive record of six wins and only 1 loss, he will now face a step up in competition as he steps into the cage of Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization for the first time. On 2 May, Lisita will have a chance at revenge when he takes on the only person to ever defeat him in mixed martial arts action – Yusuke Kawanago.

Yusuke Kawanago is the former Legend FC Bantamweight champion and boasts an impressive 13-3 record in professional mixed martial arts. He has beaten some of the best Featherweights in Asia, and owns a unanimous decision victory over Rob Lisita in 2012. Kawanago is vaunted for his technical grappling skills and will look to showcase that in his ONE FC debut.

Gianni Subba is one of the most talented prospects in the world. He made a resounding debut with an empathic knockout win over Singapore’s Bruce Loh, silencing the Singaporean crowd. He then dominated both his bouts in Malaysia, bringing his current professional mixed martial arts record to 3-0. He will now compete in the Philippines for the first time in his career. A former high school wrestler in the United States, Subba combines his technical wrestling skills with dynamic striking that he will look to use against Toquero.

Eugene Toquero is a Filipino fan favorite who has impressed since making his debut in 2012. A keen martial artist, Toquero was a member of the Muay Thai national team before his transition to mixed martial arts. He has a penchant for finishing his opponent and has won all of his bouts by TKO. Fighting in his home country in front of 20,000 screaming fans at the Mall of Asia Arena will give Toquero added motivation to defeat Subba in their Flyweight contest.

[Keithlewis]

ONE FC Hosts Press Conference for ONE FC: Rise of Heroes


Manila, The Philippines: ONE Fighting Championship held a blockbuster press conference today at the SM Mall Of Asia Atrium in Manila, The Philippines, in anticipation of the upcoming epic event, ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES. It was attended by over 200 members of the media in Manila.

ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES on May 2, 2014, is set to be the largest mixed martial arts event ever witnessed in the history of the Philippines. Held at the 20,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, the event promises a stacked fight card featuring the explosive battle for the ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship title belt in the Main Event.

Millions of MMA fans around the world have been eagerly anticipating this moment when the ONE FC Bantamweight Grand Prix winner, Masakatsu Ueda, rise up to challenge the reigning and defending world champion Bibiano Fernandes for the honor of being crowned the ONE FC Bantamweight World Champion.

The stacked card also includes a Featherweight clash between the best Australian Featherweight, Rob Lisita, and the former Legend FC Bantamweight Champion, Yusuke Kawanago. It will also feature the young and motivated Filipino hero, Eugene Toquero, who will soak up the passionate support of the screaming Filipino fight fans as he faces one of the top Flyweight prospects in the world, Gianni Subba.

[Keithlewis]

HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDERS JAMES MCSWEENEY AND CHRIS LOKTEFF SET FOR BATTLE


ALSO: MYANMAR PIONEER AUNG LA N SANG FACES EGYPT’S MAHMOUD SALAMA & FILIPINA BOXER JUJEATH NAGAOWA MEETS INDIAN KICKBOXING CHAMPION JEET TOSHI


ONE FC, Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization with a 90% market share, has bolstered the blockbuster ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES event with the addition of three exciting bouts. The card will feature a clash of two of the best heavyweights in the world when James McSweeney squares off against Chris Lokteff. Aung La N Sang will also make history as the first mixed martial artist from Myanmar to compete in the ONE FC cage when he takes on Egypt’s Mahmoud Salama. Filipina boxing champion Jujeath Nagaowa will also make her ONE FC debut when she meets Jeet Toshi of India.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship Victor Cui stated, “ONE FC returns to the iconic city of Manila with the largest sporting event in Manila this year! The headlining bout will pit current ONE FC Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes against the #1 contender, Masakatsu Ueda, in the biggest bantamweight fight Asia has ever witnessed. ONE FC fans will be treated to a night of spectacular world class action featuring the clash of heavyweights James McSweeney and Chris Lokteff, as well as a middleweight battle between Aung La N Sang and Mahmoud Salama. Fans all over the world have been eagerly waiting for the debut of boxing champion Jujeath Nagaowa and she will make her MMA debut against a very tough Jeet Toshi.”

James McSweeney is a top English mixed martial artist and kickboxer who have competed against some of the best heavyweights in the world, racking up numerous titles in the process. He is currently on the best streak of his career, with eight wins in his last ten fights. McSweeney is a proven finisher and have gone to a decision only once in twenty three fights.

Chris Lokteff is one of the top heavyweight prospects in the world. The Australian has amassed an impressive record of twelve wins and one loss at just 27 years of age. He made a remarkable ONE FC debut, convincingly defeating famed American wrestler Tony Johnson last November. He looks to extend his winning streak in ONE FC when he takes on the toughest test of his career in McSweeney. The ONE FC Heavyweight division remains without a champion and the winner of this bout will likely earn a spot in the inaugural title bout.

Aung La N Sang will be the first mixed martial artist of Myanmar descent to enter the ONE FC cage. He is a member of the Kachin, a group of indigenous people currently embroiled in civil war with the Myanmar army. He left Myanmar to study in the United States, where he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and subsequently, mixed martial arts. Aung is nicknamed “The Burmese Python” for his constricting ability which has led him to nine submission wins.

Mahmoud Salama is a veteran of the Egyptian mixed martial arts scene. He has never been defeated in his home country, racking up all four of his wins by TKO. Salama boasts power in both hands and will look to knock out any opponent standing in his way. This clash against Aung represents the classic striker against grappler matchup and the striker, Salama, seeks to emerge victorious in this matchup.

Jujeath Nagaowa will make history when she enters the ONE FC cage, becoming the first Filipina mixed martial artist in Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization. The former WBC Asia Atomweight Champion will be making the transition from boxing with an impressive resume that features 12 professional victories. Nagaowa has nifty footwork that she uses to get out of her opponents’ punches and knockout power in both hands. She will be looking to demonstrate her boxing skills along with her newly acquired mixed martial arts techniques as she makes her ONE FC debut in front of her fellow countrymen.

Jeet Toshi is a seven time kickboxing champion from India. Her illustrious kickboxing career has led her to coaching and training stints in Bahrain and Australia. As the pioneer for female mixed martial arts in India, she has paved the way for more women in the populous country to participate in the sport, and will look to make a statement by emerging victorious in ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES.

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

ONE FC: Rise of Heroes Adds Three Additional Fights


ONE FC, Asia's largest mixed martial arts organization with a 90% market share, has announced three additional fights for ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES, set to take place at MOA Arena in Manila on 2 May. Filipino fan-favorite Eduard "Landslide" Folayang will feature in the co-main event opposite former ONE FC Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu "No Face" Boku. An exciting flyweight bout between another popular Filipino fighter, Rey "The Punisher" Docyogen, and Guam's Joshua "The Hedgehog" Alvarez, has also been added to the main card. The ONE FC cage will also host a battle between two top middleweights, Leandro Ataides and Tatsuya Mizuno.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship Victor Cui stated, "ONE FC is coming back to the iconic Mall of Asia Arena with the biggest MMA event Manila has ever seen! MMA fans in Manila will be blown away by the Filipino stars we have lined up to compete. Filipino heroes Eduard Folayang and Rey Docyogen will proudly represent the Philippines against world-class international competition. ONE FC is set to ignite the arena with an explosive evening of entertainment as the top mixed martial artists rise to the challenge on May 2!"

Eduard "Landslide" Folayang is the URCC Welterweight Champion and is beloved in the Philippines for winning numerous gold medals at Wushu and for representing Filipino warriors on the largest stage in Asian MMA. Known for his fearless fighting style and indomitable spirit, he is a fan-favorite with multiple come-from-behind wins. He has beaten top fighters such as A Sol Kwon, Vincent Latoel and Felipe Enomoto since joining ONE FC, and is now looking to take a step further in his MMA career by facing former ONE FC Lightweight World Champion, Kotetsu "No Face" Boku, in front of 20,000 home fans at ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES.

Kotetsu "No Face" Boku enters this contest fresh off his TKO win against French fighter, Arnaud "The Game" Lepont, at ONE FC: WAR OF NATIONS. He is eager to extend his winning streak to boost his already impressive 21-9-2 record. The inaugural ONE FC Lightweight World Champion has a reputation for his iron chin and explosive knockout power and has never been stopped with strikes. With two prominent strikers facing off in the cage, this bout is an immediate favorite to deliver the best knockout of the night.

Rey "The Punisher" Docyogen earned his nickname thanks to his relentless ground and pound skills. As a member of Team Lakay, he has excellent endurance and devastating kicks that have become a signature of the gym. The diminutive flyweight has proven that he can finish his fights via both KO and submissions. He is eager to impress and will look to come out on top against Joshua "The Hedgehog" Alvarez.

Joshua "The Hedgehog" Alvarez is one of the top mixed martial artists from Guam and boasts a 12-5 record. Nine of Alvarez's 12 victories are by way of submission and he also has two TKOs to his name. Alvarez's ONE FC debut was a fight he took on short notice against Koetsu Okazaki at ONE FC: MOMENT OF TRUTH. He now gets an opportunity at a full training camp and will return to Manila seeking a signature victory.

Brazilian standout Leandro Ataides made his ONE FC debut in ONE FC: WARRIOR SPIRIT last year and made an immediate impact inside the ONE FC cage. He dropped his opponent Brayan Rafiq with a devastating left hook that knocked him out, a clear indication that this Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt is just as proficient with his striking. Ataides is setting his sights on the ONE FC Middleweight World Championship title and will have to overcome Tatsuya Mizuno to get closer to achieving his goal.

Tatsuya Mizuno is determined to make a title run as well after dropping down to the Middleweight Division. Mizuno is known for being one of the top light heavyweight fighters in Asia for the past decade and he is now eager to prove himself in the Middleweight Division. His middleweight debut in ONE FC was one of the best matches of 2013, as he went back and forth with his opponent Rafael Silva before emerging with the decision. Both Mizuno and Ataides are on impressive winning streaks and their confidence levels will be at an all-time high when they step in to face each other on May 2.

[Keithlewis]

Julaton vs. Saber Added to ONE FC: Rise of Heroes May 2


ONE Fighting Championship, Asia's largest mixed martial arts organization with a 90% market share, has finalized the lineup for the blockbuster ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES event with the addition of a bout between boxing world champion Ana Julaton and Egyptian kickboxing champion Aya Saeid Saber.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship Victor Cui stated, "ONE FC is returning to the Philippines with a night of exciting mixed martial arts action! Filipino fight fans have been clamoring to see Ana Julaton in action for years and their wait is finally over as Julaton will make her mixed martial arts debut opposite kickboxing champion Aya Saeid Saber. This explosive bout completes the lineup for ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES. Fans all over the world can look forward to a night of world class mixed martial arts action as ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES comes to you live from the Philippines!"

Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton is the first Filipina boxer to win the women's WBO Super Bantamweight and IBA Super Bantamweight World Championships. Julaton's signing with ONE FC marks her first step to becoming a two-sport athlete. Her overpowering attacks in the ring earned her the nickname "The Hurricane" and made her a fan favorite in the Philippines. It took her only five professional bouts to win a championship in boxing and she hopes her mixed martial arts career will be equally successful.

Ana Julaton is excited to compete in the Philippines for the first time. She stated, "Aya Saber is an experienced MMA warrior and champion in kickboxing. I know she will bring her very best on May 2nd. I'm training for my ONE FC homecoming fight in Manila harder than ever before and what gives me strength through my ups and downs are the hearts of my Kababayon all over."

Aya Saeid Saber is an Egyptian kickboxing champion who has conquered the kickboxing scene in the Middle East. Saber now sets her sights on scaling ONE FC's highly competitive female circuit. She combines explosive kicks with steadily improving takedown skills. This is a clash of striking styles and Saber is relishing her opportunity to upstage Julaton and upset the boxing world champion in front of her 20,000-strong Filipino home crowd.

Saber stated, "I am excited and honored to be the first female mixed martial artist from Egypt to compete in ONE FC. I can't wait to get into the cage and beat Ana and make my fight team and family proud. Unlike Ana, I am not new to MMA. Be careful Ana, you are entering my world. I'm coming!"

[Keithlewis]