Adrian “The Hunter Pang, who is extremely hailed as an ultra-tough opponent known for giving his all in bruising battles, steps into the ONE Championship cage for the first time in a year when locks horns with young Singaporean standout Amir Khan on Friday, 22 November on the undercard of ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT.
After dropping close and competitive decisions to Eduard Folayang and Roger Huerta in 2016, Pang is in danger of becoming a stepping stone for up and coming lightweights such as Khan, who has been vocal about his desire for a shot at the ONE Lightweight World Championship.
Pang’s 23-year-old opponent is riding high a five-bout winning streak and holds the record for most knockouts in ONE Championship history at seven.
Adrian Pang
According to a seasoned competitor like Pang, he wants to see for himself just how tough and dangerous the Singaporean prospect claims to be.
“It is like the young bull versus the old bull. I actually wanted to compete against him. I thought it would be a tough match for me. He is young and he will have heaps of energy, but he has not had a real good matchup yet,” he said.
“I have competed all around the world, I have been up and I have been down, so I will be the one to give it to him,” Pang added.
The 40-year-old Australian veteran knows that he will need to be at his absolute best to defeat Khan.
“Amir Khan is a great martial artist and definitely well-rounded. I do not like to look at much tape of my opponents and choose to focus on what I bring to the table. The game is martial arts, and it is martial arts that we shall do,” he stated.
Pang trained twice a day at one of Australia’s most popular martial arts facilities, Integrated MMA, a gym that he owns and operates.
Each session runs anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, and he focuses on a variety of disciplines including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, and wrestling.
In addition, Pang dedicates some of his sessions to an intense strength-and-conditioning program.
Adrian Pang
As Khan aims to extend both of his knockout and winning streaks in the hope of getting a world title shot, Pang believes that his Singaporean counterpart will not be having a walk in the park.
Pang, who has an affinity for striking and a granite chin, has never been knocked out in his 16-year run as a professional combatant.
“I have been competing for 16 years. If he thinks he is going to knock me out, he’d better think of something different because positive thinking is not going to help him. No one has ever knocked me out, so if he were to do it, then fine — let him be the first,” he asserted.
Still wanting a chance to become a world champion, Pang is back on the road to redemption and looks to return to winning ways.
“My alias says it all. I won’t be the prey in this bout. I am coming for him and the win. Sorry, but I am not going to be his footstool. I am here to win,” he declared.
The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), recently held the ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT Official Kick-Off Press Conference on 22 November at the Simpor Junior Ballroom of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. In attendance was Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, Chatri Sityodtong, as well as athletes Ben Askren, Shinya Aoki, Amir Khan, Adrian Pang, May Ooi and Vy Srey Khouch
This press conference was held ahead of all the action which takes place 24 November, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, which features reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben “Funky” Askren who will defend his title against former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in the evening’s main event.
Ben Askren vs Shinya Aoki
Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “Singapore is the place where it all started for ONE Championship. This country witnessed the growth of this great organization, from its humble beginnings to its rise as the largest global sports media property in Asian history. It’s great to be back home to host another blockbuster event. Ever since our first event, which was held in the heart of Singapore, ONE Championship has been relentless in its pursuit to give fans adrenaline-pumping action from start to finish. ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT is certainly an event not to be missed.”
Ben Askren, ONE Welterweight World Champion, stated: “I said from day one that I am the best in the world at what I do, and this is what I am going to do every single time. I have been saying that since I started my career, and I believe it more strongly than ever because I have proven it 17 times now, and I am pumped to prove it again on November 24th. Shinya is a really good opponent. Obviously, he is a legend of the sport, and he is a really big challenge on the ground, which is where I like to compete, personally. I am excited for this bout. He is a grappler and has a great skill set that I respect, so I think it will be a great battle.”
Shinya Aoki, former ONE Lightweight World Champion, stated: “Ben Askren is a spectacular martial artist. He is an athlete that I really respect. He has his own goal for his career, and I have mine as well. I am here to win another belt in ONE Championship and redeem myself in front of the world. I want to win again. I am not satisfied yet. I am very determined to win this next bout of mine. I never turn down a match. I am here to face the best.”
Amir Khan vs Adrian Pang
Amir Khan, ONE Athlete, stated: “I am a man on a mission. Adrian Pang is one of the top guys in the division right now, so it’s a big test for me. My current goal is to be a world champion in a big global promotion like ONE Championship. What I hope to do is inspire people to chase what they love. I want my martial arts career to be proof that if you have the passion for something, and if you’re good at it, you’ll be able to make a living out of it.”
Adrian Pang, ONE Athlete, stated: “It is like the young bull versus the old bull. It will be a tough match for me. He is young and he will have heaps of energy, and he’s strong. But I have never been knocked out in my career, so let’s see. I have competed all around the world, I have been up and I have been down. I know how to bring the action, and I’m bringing it Friday night.”
May Ooi vs Vy Srey Khouch
May Ooi, ONE Athlete, stated: “Competing in Singapore in front of all my family, friends and fans is such an honor. As a martial artist, I want to use the platform that I am standing on to inspire people. Life isn’t just about what you achieve, it’s also what you inspire others to achieve. While it is very important to work on your own personal development, there are many underlying intangibles within the realm of success that extend far beyond your individual success. I hope to be an inspiration to the people of Singapore. It has been a while since I competed here and I am excited to perform in front of my hometown crowd.”
Vy Srey Khouch, ONE Athlete, stated: “ONE Championship is the biggest promotion in Asia, and to be part of it, it’s truly an honor. Everything that I did in training is all worth it because I’ve made it here. I have prepared well for this bout, and I will make sure to showcase all of my skills. My opponent is extremely talented and experienced, so I will need to bring my best.”
Ben “Funky” Askren
A former NCAA Division I All-American and US Olympian, Ben “Funky” Askren is a collegiate wrestling legend and one of the finest martial artists in the world today. Askren joined ONE Championship in 2014, taking the promotion by storm and capturing the ONE Welterweight World Championship with a resounding technical knockout victory over Nobutatsu Suzuki. Since then, Askren has successfully defended the title twice, and has stopped six of his last seven opponents to maintain a perfect 17-0 professional record. In what is being billed as the last bout of Askren’s illustrious professional career, the American is set to defend his title against the legendary Shinya Aoki of Japan.
Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki
Global martial arts veteran Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki of Shizuoka, Japan, is one of the world’s most decorated athletes. He is the DREAM Lightweight Champion, former Shooto Welterweight Champion, and the former ONE Lightweight World Champion. The 34-year-old Aoki is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under the famed Yuki Nakai and has won multiple grappling tournaments all over the world. Aoki also holds a black belt in judo and is widely considered one of the best pure grapplers in professional martial arts competition today. In his next bout, Aoki makes his ONE Championship welterweight debut, taking on reigning ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren of the United States for the title.
23-year-old Singaporean top lightweight contender Amir Khan is a martial artist with a stellar professional record of 8-2. He is considered one of the most promising young talents to represent Singapore on the international stage of martial arts. Khan is currently riding a five-bout win streak, with all of his victories coming by way of scintillating finish, including one by submission and four by devastating knockout. In his most recent outing, Khan needed less than one round to finish Jaroslav Jartim with a combination of punches and kicks. Next in line for Khan is the always-dangerous Adrian Pang.
Adrian “The Hunter” Pang is a martial arts veteran from Queensland, Australia, with a 22-10-2 professional record. The veteran Pang has decimated opponents with his incredible power and no-frills approach to striking in nearly two decades as a professional. He is known for his astounding durability and overwhelming strength, with the ability to walk through opponents with little to no resistance. Pang will need to muster all of his strength however, when he takes on rising star Amir Khan of Singapore in his next appearance inside the ONE Championship cage.
Singaporean female strawweight contender “Mighty” May Ooi is a martial artist with a professional record of 3-2. A former champion swimmer, Ooi represented Singapore in the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona. Today, she is one of the country’s most talented martial artists, and a hard-working competitor possessing well-rounded striking and grappling skills. In her most recent contest, Ooi scored a thrilling upset, defeating Malaysia’s Ann “Athena” Osman by first-round submission in her promotional debut. Ooi is now set to make her second appearance inside the ONE Championship cage opposite Cambodia’s Vy Srey Khouch.
Vy Srey Khouch is a highly-regarded Cambodian martial artist and former female boxer who competed in numerous international competitions. She made her professional debut in 2015, winning by decision at ONE: KINGDOM OF KHMER. In her most recent bout, Srey Khouch fell just short of victory against Malaysian icon Ann Osman at ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS. In her next bout, she will take on Singaporean women’s martial arts standout, May Ooi.
The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), held an open workout for competitors of ONE: TOTAL VICTORY at the Celebrity Fitness gym of FX Sudirman in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday, 14 September. The workout featured Filipino standout Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, as well as homegrown talents such as “The Terminator” Sunoto, Stefer Rahardian and Adrian Matheis who showcased their martial arts techniques in front of fans and media.
Geje Eustaquio, ONE flyweight contender, stated: “I have been working very hard to get back on the hunt for a world title, and now the opportunity is coming swiftly. It’s truly an honor and a privilege. Thank you ONE Championship for the trust that you have given me, and the belief in my abilities. I will showcase my best skills in this bout and take home the win for the Philippines. Jakarta, be ready. I am bringing the action right to you.”
Top flyweight contender and former world title challenger Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio of Baguio City, Philippines, is one of the most skilled martial artists in Asia, and a highly-decorated wushu practitioner. His solid striking and grappling skill set has led to huge victories over the course of a six-year professional martial arts career. Training in the high altitudes of the Philippines’ mountainous region, Eustaquio hones his craft alongside world-class teammates at the fabled Team Lakay. In his most recent bout, Eustaquio defeated fellow striker Anatpong Bunrad via split decision in a rematch. Known for his incredible ability to keep calm in the face of adversity, Eustaquio is set to headline ONE: TOTAL VICTORY on Saturday, 16 September opposite former ONE Flyweight World Champion Kairat Akhmetov.
Top Indonesian prospect Stefer Rahardian impressed in his ONE Championship debut by winning the ONE: TITLES & TITANS Flyweight Tournament in August of 2016. Rahardian finished both Yotha Hutagalung and Hendrick Wijaya by first round rear-naked choke to become the tournament winner. In his last outing, Rahardian outperformed Eugene Toquero to win by unanimous decision in three rounds. Now unbeaten at six wins and no losses, Rahardian puts his unblemished record on the line against Sim Bunsrun.
24-year-old Adrian Matheis of Jakarta, Indonesia, is a martial artist competing in ONE Championship’s talented strawweight division. In the ONE: TITLES & TITANS strawweight tournament in August 2016, Matheis defeated both Rustam Hutajulu and Roso Nugroho via scintillating knockouts in one night to be crowned tournament champion. In his next bout, Matheis crosses paths with the debuting Phat Soda.
American stalwart Ben Askren needed less than four years to conquer ONE Championship and become the biggest star in the constantly-growing world of martial arts.
Known by the moniker “Funky,” Askren made an impact in his first two assignments in ONE Championship, submitting Bakhtiyar Abbasov with an arm-triangle choke in his May 2014 promotional debut before thwarting Nobutatsu Suzuki in the first round to claim the organization’s coveted welterweight crown three months later.Askren is coming off a spectacular first-round submission triumph over Malaysia’s Agilan “The Alligator” Thani this past May, keeping his immaculate record intact and the ONE Welterweight World Championship belt around his waist
As he has morphed into a fully formed combat sports superstar, Askren has compiled his share of intriguing statistical data.
2
For nearly seven years, a prestigious gold-plated strap has been closely associated with Askren as he has never lost a world title contest since outpointing Lyman Good for the Bellator welterweight belt in October 2010.Askren made history when he unified Bellator’s 170-pound’s top prize with the ONE Welterweight World Championship by pulling off a first-round demolition of Suzuki in August 2014.“I’ve held two belts. I’ve never lost them, and I’ve held them for a combined six years, which is a very, very long championship reign by anyone’s account,” he said,
16
Askren made the transition to mixed martial arts and has flawlessly translated his impeccable grappling skills into his growing skillset.The 33-year-old American has been perfect in competition, amassing an immaculate professional record of 16-0 with 1 no contest en route to becoming the ONE Welterweight World Champion.
“16 is the number of times I’ve stepped in the cage, and I’ve never taken a loss. I think I am one of the best in the world, and I think it also says a lot about the consistency I bring. I bring a great performance every single time I step in the cage,” Askren explained.In his eight-year run as a professional martial artist, Askren owns five submission victories and four knockout triumphs.
87
Askren is highly regarded for his outstanding wrestling background that earned him two NCAA Division I national championship trophies and the privilege to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.While many children were motivated to first pick up a basketball because of Michael Jordan or kick a soccer ball because of David Beckham, Askren was a little different.
Growing up in the Midwestern United States, a region traditionally known as a hotbed for amateur wrestling, Askren was motivated by the spirit of competition and wanted to participate in a sport where he could be the master of his own fate.During his illustrious college wrestling stint, Askren won 87 matches in a row, which made him one of the best grapplers in the collegiate ranks.
153
Askren finished his collegiate wrestling career with a record of 153–8, with 91 of those victories coming by way of fall. Those 91 pins put him at third on the all-time NCAA Division I pins list.Even though there are many combat practices in mixed martial arts, Askren stands firm on the notion that wrestling is the most vital discipline in the sport.
Wrestling has been often regarded as the best foundation in the sport as numerous wrestlers transitioned easily into the sport, including Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Daniel Cormier and Frankie Edgar.Throughout the course of the sport’s history, wrestlers have shared the cage with other practitioners on numerous occasions.In the current state of the sport, wrestling has become a necessary requirement for combatants to extensively learn.
“If you’re going to ask a lot of the mixed martial artists, they’re going to say that wrestling is the number one martial art to learn,” Askren stated.
108,000
Askren is universally recognized as one of the best welterweights today and one of the best professional martial artists in the world pound-for-pound.The undefeated ONE Welterweight World Champion has been all over the globe, competing in countries such as the United States, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.Since being part of the ONE Championship roster, Askren has travelled 108,000 kilometers for the promotion’s blockbuster events.
“I really enjoy travelling. My trips to Asia have been a pleasure for me. I always enjoy seeing new cultures and learning new things,” Askren stressed.
Askren will be entering a new territory on Saturday, 2 September when he defends his ONE Welterweight World Championship against Swedish contender Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam in the main event of ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI, which takes place at the 15,000-capacity Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China.
Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen completed his climb to the top of ONE Championship’s competitive 70.3-kilogram weight class by clinching a prestigious martial arts gold against a fierce Russian rival.
The 28-year-old Australian standout knocked out the previously unbeaten Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in their rematch and laid claim to the featherweight crown in the main event of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS last Friday, 18 August at the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Recognizing an opening, Nguyen countered Gafurov’s low kick with an overhand right that knocked out the Dagestani grappler at the center of the ONE Championship cage.
The newly-minted ONE Featherweight World Champion achieved one of his dreams by becoming a world champion in astounding fashion.However, the sweet victory was about more than just the belt for Nguyen, instead it was all for his family.Nguyen may have been a menace during his adolescence, but he never had to look far to find inspiration and set himself on the right path. For him, it was right at home and came in the form of the man he called “dad.”
“My dad worked hard just for us to get by. We were not the richest family, and we were not as poor as other people out here, but we got by. He was my sole inspiration to work hard, just the way he was able to provide for his family,” he said.
While Nguyen’s father was not particularly fond of his son stepping into the cage, he watched with a keen eye and supported him nonetheless.In July 2012, Nguyen made his professional debut and proved to be quite the talent as soon as the bell rang.Nguyen was flawless, winning every bout en route to capturing the BRACE featherweight championship belt in November 2013. Like a good son, he brought the belt to his father shortly after winning it.
“My dad looked at it. He was all happy and taking pictures with it. It was awesome,” he recalled. “And then he said, ‘Alright, you got the belt now. Enough. Just call it quits.’ No parent likes to see their child getting injured in a match or anything like that, so he said, ‘Enough now. No more.’”
Sadly, it was the last thing Nguyen’s father said to him with regard to his professional martial arts career as his dad tragically passed away just a few weeks later.
His father had undergone a bone marrow transplant so he could get more white blood cells into his body. The procedure was initially a success, but the healing process taking longer than usual.
As doctors were preparing to do more testing, Nguyen’s father contracted the flu, and that eventually turned into pneumonia and took his life.
“I never experienced any hardship or heartbreak until then, and I will never forget that day. He was in Melbourne at that time, so I flew into Melbourne to see him. Everything was happening so fast, and then he was gone. I did not even get to speak to him, and there are a lot of things I wish I could have said to him. It was heartbreaking,” Nguyen shared.
Nearly four years later, Nguyen still carries the loss of his father like an anchor around his neck.Even though Nguyen is constantly reminded of his dad, he knows that his world-title winning performance was a fitting way to pay tribute to him.With tears streaming from his eyes, Nguyen kneeled at the center of the ONE Championship cage, basking in the adulation poured upon him.While the sought-after belt is draped over his shoulder, Nguyen expressed a wondrous rhetoric in his post-bout interview.
“This is for my dad. He was my inspiration for the whole camp when I mentally broke. (He and) the boys kept me together,” he stated.
Two days after accomplishing the monumental victory and claiming the No. 1 status in ONE Championship’s stacked featherweight division, Nguyen visited his grave with the belt.
“I am doing this all for him. One big title to put the icing on the cake,” he said. “It’s the only thing I wanted to do once I got home. I hope he is so proud right now.”
In the co-main event of the evening, former world title challenger Ev “E.T.” Ting of Malaysia placed his name back in the winner’s column by overwhelming Japanese veteran and former ONE Welterweight World Champion Nobutatsu Suzuki to win by devastating technical knockout. From the opening bell, Ting paced himself well, keeping Suzuki at range with his accurate striking before executing the end sequence. After staggering Suzuki with a combination, Ting swarmed his opponent to score the referee stoppage.
Ev Ting vs Nobutatsu Suzuki
22-year-old Agilan “The Alligator” Thani of Malaysia authored one of the most dominant performances of the night, placing himself back on the winning track with a unanimous decision victory over Sherif “The Shark” Mohamed of Egypt. Showing off new skills and techniques that he learned from training with the world-famous Team Quest, Thani swamped Mohamed with his wrestling while stifling his opponent with submission attempts. The former world title challenger finished the three-round welterweight contest on a strong note, delivering crisp ground strikes to the delight of his roaring countrymen.
Agilan Thani vs Sherif Mohamed
Filipino knockout artist Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon completed yet another scintillating finish, his second in a row, by defeating Australian submission specialist Reece “Lightning” McLaren by knockout. Belingon finished the job in just 62 seconds, dropping his Australian opponent with a hard right straight before punctuating with follow-up strikes on the ground to compel referee Olivier Coste to step in and halt the contest. The revered Team Lakay veteran recorded his seventh knockout win as a professional with the impressive triumph over McLaren.
In a clash of high-caliber flyweights, Malaysia’s Gianni Subba captured a hard-earned victory in front of a jubilant hometown crowd by routing Japan’s Riku “The Outsider” Shibuya. Subba showcased his pinpoint accurate striking early on, peppering Shibuya with stinging right hands and spinning back-kicks in the first round. Although Shibuya easily converted his takedown attempts in the succeeding rounds to avoid striking exchanges, Subba kept himself active on the canvas, fishing for submissions while landing the more telling blows. In the end, Subba’s efforts were rewarded with a unanimous decision.
“Mighty” May Ooi of Singapore scored a major victory in her ONE Championship debut by submitting Malaysian female martial arts superstar Ann “Athena” Osman in the first round. After surviving a huge right hand from Osman, Ooi took matters to the canvas, where she maneuvered her cage counterpart with ease courtesy of her impeccable ground game. The 41-year-old Singaporean executed a flawless transition into a rear-naked choke that left Osman no choice but to tap out.
May Ooi vs Ann Osman
Former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke of Thailand brushed off a lackluster start to topple Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan of the Philippines via second-round technical knockout. Showcasing tremendous power with every strike and drawing cheers from the crowd after each landed blow, Dejdamrong’s thunderous knees proved too much for Catalan as the Filipino lost his footing, forcing the referee to wave it off and award the victory to the celebrated Thai kickboxer.
Christian “The Warrior” Lee of Singapore exhibited stellar form, proving himself a top featherweight contender in ONE Championship by scoring an impressive submission over Malaysia’s Keanu Subba. Both highly-touted prospects started out aggressively, but it was Lee who showed a more capable set of grappling skills. Lee spun a web of crafty grappling to overwhelm Subba as the 19-year-old Singaporean standout was able to get the submission finish in the third round, making Subba tap from a wrenching armbar.
Christian Lee vs Keanu Subba
Emilio “The Honey Badger” Urrutia of the United States made a triumphant promotional debut in ONE Championship by edging out Team Lakay stalwart Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly of the Philippines in their three-round featherweight encounter. Urrutia relied on his solid ground game to pacify his Filipino opponent’s firepower in the stand-up trade, wearing down Kelly and steering him to a decisive victory by way of unanimous decision.
Kicking off ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS was a strawweight encounter between wushu practitioner Rene Catalan of the Philippines and Chinese grappling prodigy Bu Huo You Ga. After dropping his opponent with a clean left straight in first round, Catalan secured top control and went to work. With a dominant top game, Catalan notched his third straight victory, defeating Bu Huo as all three judges saw the bout in favor of Catalan to win by unanimous decision.
Official results for ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS
ONE Featherweight World Championship bout: Martin Nguyen defeats Marat Gafurov by Knockout at 1:27 minutes of round 2
Lightweight bout: Ev Ting defeats Nobutatsu Suzuki by TKO (Strikes) at 3:29 minutes of round 1
Welterweight bout: Agilan Thani defeats Sherif Mohamed by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Bantamweight bout: Kevin Belingon defeats Reece McLaren by Knockout at 1:02 minutes of round 1
Flyweight bout: Gianni Subba defeats Riku Shibuya by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Women’s strawweight bout: May Ooi defeats Ann Osman by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:27 minutes of round 1
Strawweight bout: Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke defeats Robin Catalan by TKO (Strikes) at 0:46 minutes of round 2
Featherweight bout: Christian Lee defeats Keanu Subba by Submission (Armbar) at 1:11 minutes of round 3
Featherweight bout: Emilio Urrutia defeats Edward Kelly by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Strawweight bout: Rene Catalan defeats Bu Huo You Ga by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
In case you missed the action log on to www.onefc.com/livestream for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.
The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), once again electrified the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with another evening of authentic world-class martial arts action. ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS delivered a series of compelling bouts, performed by the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. In the main event, Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen shocked the world by stopping Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in their rematch to become the new ONE Featherweight World Champion.
In the main event of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS, Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Australia completed his journey through ONE Championship’s featherweight ranks by upsetting previously-unbeaten Russian champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov via knockout within two rounds to clinch the highly-coveted ONE Featherweight World Championship. Gafurov dominated the first round with his magnificent grappling arsenal, but Nguyen found his groove in the second frame as he tore apart his Russian foe with his striking. Recognizing an opening, Nguyen countered Gafurov’s jab with an overhand right that knocked out the now former champion at the center of the ONE Championship cage. Nguyen’s remarkable conquest of Gafurov earned him the “GoDaddy Knockout of the Night” award.
Martin Nguyen, newly crowned ONE Featherweight World Champion, stated: “I just want to dedicate this fight, not only to Malaysia for being so welcoming and having such a beautiful country. This is for my dad. He was my inspiration for the whole camp when I mentally broke. (He and) the boys kept me together. I’ve got a deadly overhand right, but it’s not my only weapon. Thank you to Marat [Gafurov] for giving me the opportunity.”
Official results for ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS
ONE Featherweight World Championship bout: Martin Nguyen defeats Marat Gafurov by Knockout at 1:27 minutes of round 2
Lightweight bout: Ev Ting defeats Nobutatsu Suzuki by TKO (Strikes) at 3:29 minutes of round 1
Welterweight bout: Agilan Thani defeats Sherif Mohamed by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Bantamweight bout: Kevin Belingon defeats Reece McLaren by Knockout at 1:02 minutes of round 1
Flyweight bout: Gianni Subba defeats Riku Shibuya by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Women’s strawweight bout: May Ooi defeats Ann Osman by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:27 minutes of round 1
Strawweight bout: Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke defeats Robin Catalan by TKO (Strikes) at 0:46 minutes of round 2
Featherweight bout: Christian Lee defeats Keanu Subba by Submission (Armbar) at 1:11 minutes of round 3
Featherweight bout: Emilio Urrutia defeats Edward Kelly by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Strawweight bout: Rene Catalan defeats Bu Huo You Ga by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
In case you missed the action log on to www.onefc.com/livestream for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.
“Who is Reece McLaren?” That was the question of the night during the ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS fight week in December 2015 when he surfaced as Jordan Lucas’ late replacement to face Filipino-American sensation Mark “Mugen” Striegl.
Striegl was supposed to have an easy night against a relatively-unknown Australian martial artist entering a high-profile bout on eight days notice, but McLaren begged to disagree and educated everyone about who he is and what he is capable of.
McLaren pulled off a major upset in his promotional debut by submitting Striegl with a rear-naked choke in the aforementioned event’s co-headliner.
Showcasing his never-say-die attitude, McLaren overcame a series of takedowns and a second-round knockdown against the highly-favored Striegl, but he methodically chipped away with stinging leg kicks.
As his counterpart appeared to lose steam in the final frame, McLaren countered a weary takedown attempt with solid elbows before he advanced to Striegl’s back to latch on the bout-ending choke at the 3:33 mark of the third round.
After his impressive conquest of Striegl, the thousands inside the state-of-the-art SM Mall of Asia Arena were instantly introduced to the name of Reece “Lighting” McLaren.
However, what actually shocked an additional number of Pinoy fans was the fact that he also had Filipino heritage like Striegl.
The 25-year-old native of Gold Coast, Queensland revealed that his father, whom he never met while growing up, was Filipino.
Even without the formal orientation to the culture of his father’s country, McLaren admitted that he always feels the sense of pride about his Filipino lineage.
“My father is actually Filipino. However, I have never met him and never grew up with any Filipino culture. But I have always told people that I am half-Filipino. You can say that I’m proud to be Pinoy,” he said.
Although ONE Championship gave him minimal time to prepare for Striegl, McLaren accepted the challenge because this was his chance to set foot on Philippine soil.
“I had always wanted to come to the Philippines and Manila being the capital city. It was a chance I had to take,” he recalled.
McLaren described his grueling encounter with Striegl as hitting two birds with one stone as it likewise raised his stock as a prizefighter.
“I felt like this was my opportunity to get myself on the world stage. I also knew it would be my chance to get noticed. Mark is a very followed fighter with a massive fan-base,” he said.
Being made public that he is half-Filipino, McLaren considers it as an achievement on his part as he has been the Pinoy youngster on his locale’s block.
“I think it’s great. Growing up, I’ve been called it all the time. I was pushed down in the dirt many times, so getting recognition for being who I am was nice. I’m a proud Filipino kid,” he stated.
McLaren made two trips to the Philippines in 2016, defeating Tajik prospect Muin Gafurov by way of unanimous decision in April before locking horns with Brazilian legend Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes for the coveted ONE Bantamweight World Championship eight months later.
On the back of four consecutive victories, McLaren entered the biggest match of his professional career as he squared off with Fernandes inside the ONE Championship cage.
McLaren believed that he did enough to become the new champion after five rounds of battle as he tested Fernandes like no one else in ONE Championship had done before, but it was not meant to be as he lost a narrow split decision to the reigning bantamweight kingpin.
“I did not do enough, I guess,” McLaren lamented with eight months removed from the fateful decision.
Known by the moniker “Lightning” due to his swift submission triumphs, McLaren has been patiently waiting for another chance ever since, yearning for another opportunity to showcase his elite abilities.
McLaren sees a big reward if he plays his cards right against Kevin Belingon as both men are set to collide on the undercard of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday, 18 August.
While Belingon also yielded to Fernandes in January 2016, the Filipino knockout artist has recovered strongly by outpointing Muin Gafurov in October 2016 and then thwarting Toni “Dynamite” Tauru this past April.
Both Belingon and McLaren desperately want a rematch against Fernandes, and the latter stressed that the winner of this highly-anticipated bantamweight contest should be next in line for the gold-plated strap.
“He (Belingon) looks like he has good balance and good takedown defense on the cage. His stand-up striking is obviously phenomenal. We are the only two that have defeated the other bantamweights in the top five. We definitely deserve another title shot,” McLaren acknowledged.
McLaren may assume the underdog role yet again versus a celebrated Filipino martial arts superstar, but if he once more proves his mettle and overcomes Belingon, then “Lightning” could very well get the championship rematch that he has been longing for.
“Hopefully, the outcome of this bout will go to my favor, and we can do the rematch later. I would love a quick turnaround. I am ready. Let’s keep it going,” he emphasized.
The 5-foot-6 submission specialist stressed that his back has always been against the wall in most of his matches, but he managed to rise to the occasion.
“I’ve been the underdog most of my career. When we took the fight with Mark (Striegl), I was there to win. I didn’t take the fight just to fill in. I’m no pincushion,” McLaren shared.
McLaren seeks to follow in the path of the tradition of Philippine combat competitors who exemplified the true spirit of a warrior inside the cage.
“I have tremendous respect for all Filipino warriors. I tip my hat off to them. I am proud to say that I have the same warrior spirit in my blood because I am half-Filipino. In my upcoming bout, I am looking to personify that trait,” he ended.
After fireworks erupted at the glamorous Cotai Arena of The Venetian Macao in Macao, China nearly two weeks ago, ONE Championship shifts focus immediately to its next blockbuster event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, 18 August.
Taking place at the iconic Stadium Negara, ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS features a highly-anticipated featherweight rematch between division kingpin Marat “Cobra” Gafurov and Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen as its headliner.
Both men initially crossed paths in September 2015 when Nguyen took a very short-notice bout against Gafurov for the interim ONE Featherweight World Championship belt.
Gafurov had a short night with Nguyen as he forced Nguyen to wave the white flag in just 41 seconds with his signature rear-naked choke.
“Martin Nguyen was a substitute, but he was ready. I did not make any specific adjustments for that bout. I wanted to strike with him, but he decided to grapple, and you all saw the result,” Gafurov recalled.
The 32-year-old native of Dagestan, Russia seeks to accomplish an encore performance against Nguyen, who was able to ace his four next assignments with flying colors since yielding to Gafurov.
“He is a good competitor and has potential, but I do not think he is on my level. This bout is going to be exactly like the first one. It will end the same way. I am confident of my skills. My martial arts, my grappling, my conditioning – all of that makes me confident,” he said.
Widely regarded as one of ONE Championship’s most dominant titleholders, Gafurov became the organization’s official featherweight kingpin two months later after defeating Nguyen.
Gafurov captured the gold-plated strap by compelling then-champion Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia to tap with his go-to submission hold.
Ever since becoming the undisputed ONE Featherweight World Champion, Gafurov has recorded two successful title defenses, submitting multi-division DEEP titlist Kazunori Yokota in May 2016 before tapping out Jadambaa again in their second meeting six months later.
Gafurov’s last victory marked his sixth consecutive rear-naked choke finish and his ninth overall, which could very well be a world record in the sport.
“I do not try to look for the rear naked choke in particular. It is just the way it happens, and I always take advantage of my opportunities,” Gafurov shared.
Gafurov will most certainly take advantage of that opportunity when he defends the belt for the third time against Nguyen at ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS as the latter has evolved since their first encounter.
“If I see an opening in the bout, I will go for it. There are a lot of options. But if that’s the quickest way to win, I will grab it without thinking twice,” he stated.
Gafurov respects his opponent’s skillset and is quick to offer that Nguyen’s striking arsenal is best attribute.
“He is really good in the stand-up trade. Moreover, he has show signs of improvement in his last matches. Martin is well-rounded and has bit of everything,” he assessed.
Nguyen is on an absolute tear and has shown steady improvement in each outing, notching high-profile victories over the Philippines’ Edward Kelly, China’s Li Kai Wen, Singapore’s Christian Lee, and former title challenger Yokota.
Although many cageside observers predicts that Gafurov will have his hands full with Nguyen this time around, the Russian champion begs to disagree as he believes their talents are worlds apart and history will repeat itself in the rematch.
“I will do what I need to do on Friday, which is to win. It’s going to be the same story. I will still be the champion,” he confidently stressed.
After falling short in his first world title contest four months ago, Malaysian-Kiwi dynamo Ev “E.T.” Ting has developed a new attitude as he intensely prepares for his return to the ONE Championship cage.
Determined to reinsert his name into the winner’s column, Ting is slated to lock horns with former ONE Welterweight World Champion Nobutatsu Suzuki in a three-round lightweight encounter on the undercard of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, 18 August.
Ting took his best shot last April when he challenged Filipino martial arts superstar Eduard “Landslide” Folayang for the coveted ONE Lightweight World Championship title.
The two highly-decorated combatants engaged in a thrilling five-round duel that put fans at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines at the edge of their seats.
Tin kept moving forward with his relentless and explosive attacks for 25 minutes, but Folayang was masterfully counter striking him and controlling him in the clinch, which was enough to earn a unanimous decision victory.
Although Ting knew that he sported his best foot against Folayang, it was a bitter disappointment on his part.
“It was very surreal. I was trying to engage in the bout. I was trying to create some scrambles and initiate some action. Obviously, his game plan was to stay defensive and counter my aggression. So, what I would do differently in future is be more patient, and sit things out rather than force it. But yeah, it was definitely a tough bout,” he recalled.
Following his decision setback to Folayang, Ting opted to shy away from the spotlight and took a solid two-week break from training to heal his mind and body holistically.
During his vacation, Ting made up for lost time with his family as they travelled to Japan for seven days, where they shopped at malls, immersed themselves in Japanese culture, and savored the local cuisine.
With a lot of free time, the 28-year-old Malaysian-Kiwi warrior then flew back home to Auckland, New Zealand for a relaxed period of barbecues and wine with close friends and relatives.
It was during one of those barbecue sessions that Ting reflected on his journey and took some valuable lessons away from that heartbreaking loss.
“I see it as a blessing in disguise. It changed my whole mindset and attitude towards things. I am training smarter and looking after my health little more, so the blessing is to stay hungry, and keep pursuing what I am good at. I feel only good things are going to happen from here,” he bared.
Ting’s quest to place himself back on the winning track begins at ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS, where he faces a returning seasoned competitor in Suzuki.
Suzuki, a Kyokushin Karate black belt and five-time heavyweight champion in the discipline, has won ten of his 15 bouts by way knockout.
With a professional record of 11-2-2, Suzuki is adept in both striking and grappling, also possessing well-rounded wrestling ability.
The 39-year-old native of Tokyo, Japan is best remembered as the man who claimed the inaugural ONE Welterweight World Championship in March 2014 after defeating Brock Larson via unanimous decision.
Even if Suzuki appears to be a tough assignment for him, Ting stressed that his eagerness to win keeps himself confident that he will have his hand raised against the Japanese veteran.
“He is only a human, and everyone is beatable. I always put that in my mind. That’s why I confident and focused. I know on 18th of August that I will prevail over Nobutatsu Suzuki,” he stated.
“He is a tough guy, and all of his wins are KOs, so he is no joke. I am quite happy to be facing a former champion and testing my skills. Obviously, he is a striker, so if I wanted to be smart, I would for work the takedown and go for the submission. But, I am a little bit stubborn, so I may stand and trade with him, and see where it goes,” Ting added.
To train for the bout, Ting is incorporating many of the lessons he learned in his recent world title loss to Folayang into his current training camp.
“Previously, I just wanted to cram in as much training and knowledge. But now, my eyes see it from another perspective. It is just about capitalizing on what you are really good at, and working towards a finish rather than exploring everywhere,” he explained.
Ting might have stumbled in his bid to become the first Malaysian to win a world title in the sport, but the defeat has ultimately made him a smarter and wiser cage competitor.
“If you are very smartly invested in your camp, and have the same consistent people drilling the same necessary things you need for your bout, then that is just being smart. You are looking after your body and making sure it is in its prime condition. I really just have a new attitude towards competing,” he ended.
Barely three months since he was last seen in action, Malaysian standout Agilan “The Alligator” Thani is raring to enter the ONE Championship cage once more with an attempt to put himself back on the winning track.Thani’s last bout did not go his way as he suffered his first professional career loss at the hands of ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben “Funky” Askren of the United States in the co-headliner of ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES in Singapore this past May.
The 21-year-old Malaysian welterweight was forced to wave the white flag by Askren in the first round with an arm-triangle choke.With the drive to reinsert his name into the winner’s column, Thani chose not to wallow over his setback last January as he jumps right back into action by squaring off with Egyptian stalwart Sherif “The Shark” Mohamed.
“I got my chance to vie for the world title last May. Unfortunately, I didn’t capture it. My next step is to be back on that stage again. It’s not a defeat. I think of it as a lesson. It will serve as an inspiration to push myself to the limit,” he stated.
“It’s still a long way before I become a world champion, I know that. But maybe this is where I start. I’ve taken the defeat in a good spirit,” Thani added.
Both men are slated to face each other on the undercard of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS, which takes place at the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, 18 August.
“It’s an honor to fight a talented martial artist like Sherif Mohamed. I am ready to give my countrymen an exciting bout,” said Thani, who is brimming with pride and excitement as he wants to quickly bounce back from the loss.
There are exactly 84 days between his last ONE Championship outing and the upcoming three-round welterweight encounter with Mohamed, but Thani assured that he has fully recovered and is ready to give it his all inside the cage.
“I had enough time for recovery. I’m back in training camp even before I got the call. For me, every time is training time. It’s my responsibility, and it keeps me prepared,” he shared.
After falling short in his bid to become a world champion, Thani made certain changes in preparation for his return to the ONE Championship cage.Although the man called “Alligator” usually conducts his training camp at his home gym of Monarchy MMA in Kuala Lumpur, he opted to focus his efforts in Temecula, California this time around with the world-famous Team Quest.Aside from adding new tools to his overall skillset, another benefit the Malaysian combatant gets is the chance to interact with multi-division world champion Dan Henderson and all the other hungry athletes who call Team Quest their home.
“Dan [Henderson] comes in to watch the practices every now and again. It is always a good feeling to be coached by him. Obviously, he has the most experience out of all of us, and it is just a good vibe there. We have a good bunch of people who do a lot of training and have a lot of knowledge to work with,” he bared.
Thani will return to Kuala Lumpur just in time for fight week with more knowledge and his self-confidence rebuilt.
No longer haunted by the title loss to Askren, Thani is hungry to get back in his winning form and restart his campaign to become a world champion in the sport.
“I was on an emotional rollercoaster. When I saw Askren, I was starstruck. I was fighting someone who is one of the greatest in the world, and I did not believe in myself as much as I should have. Having had the experience of facing a world champion, I can now better prepare myself mentally and physically for future matches. I am still in high spirits,” he concluded.
BAD LAB, the complete personal care range man-gineered for the unconventional man are pleased to announce the launch of Bad Lab’s exclusive Brand Page on Watsons Online Store. In attendance are brothers Gianni and Keanu Subba, former world title challengers Ev “E.T” Ting and Agilan “Alligator” Thani, as well as Malaysian warrior belle Ann “Athena” Osman.
As the official personal care brand sponsor of ONE Championship for the 2nd year in a row, and in conjunction with ONE Championship coming Fight in Stadium Negara (18th Aug 2017), ONE : QUEST FOR GREATNESS, BAD LAB announced the availability of BAD LAB products via Watson’s online store.
On this special occasion BAD LAB and Watsons together with ONE Championship is holding a “Meet the Fans” event held on August 14 from 2 to 4 pm, at the Watson’s Store in Sunway Pyramid, Bandar Sunway, to gives fans a unique opportunity to show their support for their local athletes and have some fun experiencing BAD LAB’s products alongside top-ranked ONE Championship athletes, such as the popular Malaysian female athlete Ann Osman, brothers Gianni and Keanu Subba, former world title challengers Ev “E.T” Ting and Agilan “Alligator” Thani.
Kimmy Wong, BAD LAB Asst. Brand Manager, says, “Given the special and unique attributes of our products along with the exciting association with the athletes, the fans are in for a treat. With the unique position of being an International Brand made in Malaysia, BAD LAB is proud to announce the availability via Watsons Online Store, with special launch promotion dedicated to consumers until 31st Aug 2017.”
Lum Chong Heng, BAD LAB’s Commercial Director adds, “With the growing trend of on-line shopping, BAD LAB is proud to be working with Watsons to create an exclusive Brand Page in Watsons on-line store. With this initiative, consumers will not only be able to purchase BAD LAB products in Watsons physical stores across the country but also will be able to buy BAD LAB on line in Watsons on-line store.”
Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “ONE Championship represents the true values of martial arts — perseverance, honour, respect, resilience — these are just some of the traits we identify with and are proud to share with BAD LAB. Together, we will deliver the world’s most authentic martial arts action and the most exciting events in sports entertainment. It is an honour to be working with a great company, and we expect big things to come in the near future.”
Following the announcement of BAD LAB’s availability on Watsons Online Store, BAD LAB in collaboration with Watsons will offer as much as 20% Price Off and Freebies to consumers whom purchases at Watsons Online Store, until 31st August.
For more information about the BADLAB-One Championship “Meet the Fans” session at Watson’s Sunway Pyramid, more details can be found on BAD LAB’s Facebook Page.
Selebriti Online Portal Hiburan Dan Gaya Hidup Malaysia
