MANILA, Philippines – ONE FC fans can look forward to a spectacular evening on December 5 as it brings together the best of local and foreign MMA fighters under one roof at SM Arena.
Big-named MMA fighters such as Brandon Vera, Ana Julaton, Eduard Folayang, Roger Gracie, James Mc Sweeney; to name a few, all promise an action-filled night for their fans. This event is one of the most star studded mixed martial arts event to date and gives the Filipino mixed martial artists a chance to prove that they can compete with some of the best in the world.
Seven Filipino mixed martial artists are slated to take on foreign opponents on the card, including top stars Eduard Folayang and Brandon Vera. There will be no guarantees though as the foreign opponents represent some of the sternest tests in their respective weight classes.
In the preliminary bouts, Tharoth Sam and Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke are coming off victorious in their last bouts and will prove to be a litmus test for the skills of Jujeath Nagaowa and Rene Catalan respectively. Boxing world champion Ana Julaton also looks to get back to winning ways when she takes on fellow striker Walaa Abbas from Egypt. All three foreign opponents in the preliminary bouts bring impressive striking credentials, with Tharoth Sam a khmer boxing icon in Cambodia and Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke a former Lumpinee champion, the highest honor for a Muay Thai practitioner.
The illustrious fighting trio out of Team Lakay also have difficult challenges to overcome. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Herbert Burns will take on Honorio Banario, while Kevin Belingon have to face Japan’s Koetsu Okazaki. Burns have been on a tear since joining ONE FC, reeling off three victories. Okazaki meanwhile, put on the performance of his career in stopping Russia’s Yusup Saadulaev in Taiwan earlier this year. Banario and Belingon have put on spirited performances but both of them have lost their last bouts, and this will be an opportunity to bounce back with a statement victory. The last member of the group, Eduard Folayang, will take on Timofey Nastyukhin. Becoming the first person to defeat the currently undefeated Russian will be a feather in the cap for Folayang, and will further enhance calls for him to get a ONE FC World Championship opportunity in the future.
Fil-Am MMA superstar Brandon Vera is also set to make history as he fights in Manila for the first time in his decade-long career. A huge fan favorite in the Philippines, he will take on Ukraine’s Igor Subora. Fans will be torn as Subora has also made the Philippines his home and he made a name for himself in the local circuit in the country. This clash of heavyweights promise to be an exciting affair and will cap off the Filipino representation in ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY with a bang!