MULING papagitna ang pinakamahuhusay na mixed martial arts sa Asya, tampok ang pamosong Team Lakay sa paglarga ng ONE: DAWN OF HEROES sa Biyernes sa MOA Arena.
Sa isinagawang media conference nitong Martes sa City of Dreams Manila sa Pasay City, ibinida ng organizers na ang Fight Night ang pinakamalaking MMA event sa kasaysayan ng sports sa bansa.
Dinumog ng mga tagahanga ang City of Dreams Grand Ballroom upang personal na makita ang mga fighters na magpapamalas ng galing at husay sa Biyernes sa MOA Arena.
Pinangasiwaan ni ONE Championship CEO and Chairman Chatri Sityodtong ang programa na aniya’y pinakamalaking event sa kalendaro ng ONE ngayong taon.
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“This is without a doubt the greatest event in Philippine martial arts history. If you are a Filipino anywhere in the world, you do not want to miss Friday night,” aniya.
Iginiit ni Sityodtong na sentro ng fight card ang duwelo sa ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix semi-final bout sa pagitan nina Filipino mixed martial arts icon and two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang kontra multiple-time lightweight world champion Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez.
“On a personal note, I am so excited for Eduard Folayang versus Eddie Alvarez, genuinely two of the greatest martial artists on the planet, two incredible legends with storied careers, and such incredible human beings,” pahayag ni Sityodtong.
“I respect Eduard. I respect everything he’s done not just as a fighter, but also as a human being for his community,” sambit ni Alvarez, magtatangkang makabawi mula sa kabiguan nitong Marso. . “This is what this sport is all about. It’s beyond what goes on in the Circle.”
“In the movies, heroes always prevail. The nemesis loses, he goes home and everybody’s happy. Unfortunately, that’s not the story here. You picked the wrong guy at the wrong time. I love you Manila. I respect you Eduard. Let’s have some fun,” aniya.
Nagbigay din ng respeto si Folayang sa karibal.
“He’s one of those athletes that I spent a lot of time watching before,” sambit ni Folayang. “He says this isn’t the right time, but I believe it’s God’s time. It’s a huge honor for me to be able to test my skills against him.”
“My preparations have gone well. I lost my bell last March, that chapter of my career has closed. It’s time to write another chapter of my journey,”aniya.
Tampok din ang sagupaan sa ONE Featherweight World Championship sa pagitan nina reigning and defending titleholder Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen ng Australia at Japanese challenger Koyomi “Moushigo” Matsushima.
Sa co-main event, magtutuos sina ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship, England’s Jonathan “The General” Haggerty kontra Thailand’s Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon.
Nakalinya rin ang duwelo nina 12-time flyweight world champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson at Japan’s Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada para sa ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix semi-final bout.
“I’m very much looking forward to taking on Tatsumitsu Wada. It’s the second round of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix,” ayon kay Johnson. “I’m sure I’m going to battle a little adversity against Tatsumitsu Wada. I’ve been down on the scorecards before, but I keep on pushing through. I look forward to entertaining you all on Friday night.”
