Bibiano Fernandes submits Dae Hwan Kim and retains ONE FC title


Bibiano Fernandes vs Dae Hwan Kim
Bibiano Fernandes vs Dae Hwan Kim

MANILA, Philippines – Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization with a 90% market share, ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), returned to Manila in spectacular fashion, showcasing another night of world-class mixed martial arts action in front of a packed crowd at the MOA Arena.

In the main event of the evening, Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes submitted Dae Hwan Kim with a Rear Naked Choke to retain his ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship. Brandon Vera knocked out Igor Subora in a battle of heavyweights and Timofey Nastyukhin shocked the crowd with a knockout of hometown MMA hero Eduard Folayang.

Dae Hwan Kim controlled the ring early on, landing strikes effectively against Bibiano Fernandes
Dae Hwan Kim controlled the ring early on, landing strikes effectively against Bibiano Fernandes
Bibiano Fernandes retains the title by submitting Dae Hwan Kim via rear naked choke at 1:16 of round 2
Bibiano Fernandes retains the title by submitting Dae Hwan Kim via rear naked choke at 1:16 of round 2

ONE FC Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes retained his title with a submission win over Korea’s Dae Hwan Kim. Kim proved to be a live challenger as he tested Fernandes’ championship mettle in the first round with a display of lightning quick strikes that found their mark. In the second round, Fernandes turned to grappling as he quickly worked to secure Kim’s back after the Korean missed a punch. Moments later, Fernandes locked in a Rear Naked Choke, forcing Kim to tap out.

Brandon Vera lands a counter left squarely into Igor Subora, earning him a knockout victory with only a minute remaining in round 1
Brandon Vera lands a counter left squarely into Igor Subora, earning him a knockout victory with only a minute remaining in round 1
Brandon Vera celebrates a sweet "coming home" knockout victory over Igor Subora
Brandon Vera celebrates a sweet “coming home” knockout victory over Igor Subora

In the co-main event of the evening, international mixed martial arts superstar Brandon “The Truth” Vera of the Philippines defeated URCC champion Igor Subora of the Ukraine via spectacular knockout, sending the MOA Arena crowd into a frenzy. The fight started off with both fighters trading heavy blows. Vera caught Subora in a Muay Thai clinch and unleashed a couple of knees to the head. Towards the end of the round, Vera slipped a punch by Subora and countered with a straight left, dropping his opponent and throwing in two more kicks for good measure. The referee stepped in to stop the fight, awarding Vera with the victory.

Timofey Nastyukhin from Russia made swift work of Eduard Folayang from Team Lakay, delivering a flying knee to the chin that ended the fight at 3:11 of round 1
Timofey Nastyukhin from Russia made swift work of Eduard Folayang from Team Lakay, delivering a flying knee to the chin that ended the fight at 3:11 of round 1
Eduard Folayang was left dazed and unable to get up after receiving a massive knee to the chin from Timofey Nastyukhin
Eduard Folayang was left dazed and unable to get up after receiving a massive knee to the chin from Timofey Nastyukhin

Timofey Nastyukhin of Russia defeated hometown hero Eduard Folayang after connecting with a combination of devastating strikes to win by knockout. After a solid exchange of power shots at the center of the cage, Nastyukhin landed a flying knee to the chin of Folayang, sending the Filipino to the canvas in the first round. Two quick kicks finished things off as the referee stepped in, awarding Nastyukhin the victory.

Roger Gracie dominated James McSweeney, delivering a flurry of strikes that led to a stoppage at 3:15 of round 3
Roger Gracie dominated James McSweeney, delivering a flurry of strikes that led to a stoppage at 3:15 of round 3

Roger Gracie of the renowned Gracie fighting family made a successful ONE FC debut against the hard-hitting James McSweeney. In a feeling out round, the two light heavyweights spent the majority outside of each other’s range until McSweeney connected with a roundhouse kick. In the second round, a cut opened up on McSweeney’s right eye courtesy of a Gracie left hand. Gracie went to work on the eye for the remainder of the round. In the third, things got worse for McSweeney as he hurt his foot after missing with a kick. Gracie immediately capitalized on the situation and pounced on McSweeney with downward strikes, causing the referee to call a halt to the contest.

Kevin Belingon from the Philippines delivers a spinning back kick, winning via unanimous decision over Koetsu Okazaki from Japan
Kevin Belingon from the Philippines delivers a spinning back kick, winning via unanimous decision over Koetsu Okazaki from Japan

In a bantamweight matchup, Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon impressed with a strong performance against the highly touted Koetsu Okazaki of Japan. After a slow start, it was Belingon who was able to land the damaging blows as he dropped Okazaki to the mat with a thudding right hook towards the end of the round. In round two, Belingon continued his dazzling display of elite striking with a wide array of kicks, punctuated by a flashy spinning side-kick that knocked Okazaki back. In the third, Belingon scored on a pair of kicks and finished the round with a series of sharp elbows from top position. All judges were in favor of Belingon, who won by unanimous decision.

Herbert Burns quickly submits Honorio Banario at 3:59 of round 1
Herbert Burns quickly submits Honorio Banario at 3:59 of round 1

Herbert Burns needed just a few minutes to take care of Honorio Banario, working and securing a Rear Naked Choke to end the fight in round one. As soon as the opening bell sounded, Burns took Banario’s back with lightning quick efficiency, sinking in the hooks almost immediately as both fighters hit the ground. For the rest of the round Banario tried desperately to defend from the choke but it was inevitable. Once the choke was locked in, Banario had no choice but to tap out, giving Burns the submission victory.

Jake Butler impresses the judges with his performance against Sylvain Potard
Jake Butler impresses the judges with his performance against Sylvain Potard

In a battle of light heavyweights, former NCAA Division I wrestler Jake Butler dominated Sylvain Potard in a much anticipated rematch. In round one, Butler controlled most of the action, keeping Potard ineffective against the cage. Butler used his wrestling again in round two, this time to gain mount, letting his hands go with a combination of damaging left hands. Butler continued his dominance to the end of the third and final round, winning the fight by unanimous decision.

Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke sends Rene Catalan to the canvas for a knockout victory in round 1
Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke sends Rene Catalan to the canvas for a knockout victory in round 1

Former Lumpinee champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke of Evolve MMA showed fans just how dangerous his world-class Muay Thai can be by taking care of Rene Catalan of the Philippines in a clash of ferocious flyweights. In round one, Sor Amnuaysirichoke worked masterfully in the clinch, blasting a plethora of vicious knees to Catalan’s midsection, one of which sent the Filipino to the canvas writhing in pain. With his opponent unable to continue, Sor Amnuaysirichoke nabbed the win by knockout.

Ana Julaton is all smiles as she proves herself triumphant over Walaa Abas
Ana Julaton is all smiles as she proves herself triumphant over Walaa Abas

Former boxing world champion Ana Julaton showcased her newfound grappling skills against opponent Walaa Abas, winning a unanimous decision. In the first round, both fighters traded strikes in the clinch but it was Julaton who was able to score on a takedown. In the second, Julaton’s boxing shone through as she landed a series of solid blows. The third round saw much of the same action as Abas tried her best to keep the distance and avoid Julaton’s power punching.

Jujeath Nagaowa mounts Tharoth Sam in the second round, leading to the referee stoppage
Jujeath Nagaowa mounts Tharoth Sam in the second round, leading to the referee stoppage

The Philippines’ Jujeath Nagaowa and Cambodia’s Tharoth Sam kicked off the action for ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY in an entertaining women’s atomweight contest. The former pro-boxer Nagaowa dominated the fight with impressive boxing in the clinch and some solid ground work. In the second round, Nagaowa caught Sam out of position and swiftly worked to get full mount, unleashing ground and pound to win by referee stoppage.

ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY official results

Weight division Winner Opponent Outcome Time
ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship Bibiano Fernandes Dae Hwan Kim Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 1:16 minutes of round 2
Heavyweight Brandon Vera Igor Subora Knockout 3:54 minutes of round 1
Lightweight Timofey Nastyukhin Eduard Folayang Knockout 3:11 minutes of round 1
Light Heavyweight Roger Gracie James McSweeney TKO (Strikes) 3:15 minutes of round 3
Bantamweight Kevin Belingon Koetsu Okazaki Unanimous Decision
Catchweight Herbert Burns Honorio Banario Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 3:59 minutes of round 1
Light Heavyweight Jake Butler Sylvain Potard Unanimous Decision
Flyweight Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke Rene Catalan Knockout 2:30 minutes of round 1
Flyweight Ana Julaton Walaa Abas Unanimous Decision
Atomweight Jujeath Nagaowa Tharoth Sam TKO (Strikes) 3:34 minutes of round 2
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