3 Huge Reasons Why You Can't Miss ONE: HERO’S ASCENT

The ONE Championship cage returns to the Philippines for the first time in 2019 for ONE: HERO’S ASCENT, and a stacked card is set to wow the crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

The event this Friday, 25 January sees a host of Filipino martial arts stars return to action on home soil, including ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio.

And a spectacular card of contests promises to deliver thrills aplenty as the stars of ONE Championship once again unleash their greatness in front of a passionate Filipino audience.

Here are three key reasons why you can’t afford to miss ONE: HERO’S ASCENT.

1. A World Title Trilogy Bout

The main event sees local hero Geje Eustaquio return home to make the first defense of his ONE Flyweight World Championship, and his first test is as tough as they come.

Eustaquio will face the man he narrowly edged out to win the belt, former World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, in a battle that looks set to be every bit as gripping as their last contest at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER last June.

Eustaquio did just enough to earn a split-decision victory and capture the gold in Macau, and now “Gravity” will look to cement his status as the man to beat in the ONE flyweight division with a decisive victory in the rematch.

Meanwhile, Moraes, who lost out by the narrowest of margins after a strong performance, is more determined than ever as he looks to win back the belt in front of Eustaquio’s countrymen.

The series stands 1-1 with each man holding a victory over the other. But who will claim the decisive third win and walk away as the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion?

2. Exciting Flyweights Go Head-To-Head

Also on the card, surging flyweight contenders Danny “The King” Kingad and Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada are set to go toe to toe in a thrilling bout that could determine the identity of the next flyweight challenger.

DEEP Flyweight Champion Wada is heading into Manila in form after a 52-second submission of Eugene Toquero at ONE: WARRIOR’S DREAM in November.

The Japanese star will take on Filipino hero Kingad, who reeled off three consecutive wins during a stellar year in 2018.

Kingad defeated Sotir Kichukov, Ma Hao Bin, and Yuya Wakamatsu last year, and will bid to register the 11th win of his career.

The winner of this bout will take his place in the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix – the tournament featuring eight of the division’s top talents, including Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

3. A Stacked ONE Super Series Lineup

ONE Super Series never fails to deliver excitement, and a packed Manila crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena will be on its feet for five bouts in The Home Of Martial Arts’ all-striking league.

The card features a trio of fantastic flyweight bouts, led by 21-year-old Muay Thai hero Rodtang “Iron Man” Jitmuangnon’s return to action – following an unforgettable debut in ONE – against Thailand-based Tunisian Fahdi “The Gladiator” Khaled.

Also on the main card, Josh “Timebomb” Tonna will look to showcase his explosive striking skills against Japan’s debuting Karate World Champion Hiroki Akimoto under kickboxing rules, while Algeria’s Elias “The Sniper” Mahmoudi and Japan’s Yukinori Ogasawara will face off in a Muay Thai contest on the prelims.

Also set for ONE Super Series action are featherweights Brown Pinas and Bangpleenoi Petchyindee Academy, who will kick off the main card in a featherweight Muay Thai bout.

Bantamweights Mohammed “Jordan Boy” Bin Mahmoud and Hiroaki “Kaibutsukun” Suzuki face off in a bantamweight Muay Thai match-up.

Each contest promises fast-paced action from some of the world’s best stand-up martial artists for three thrilling rounds – or as long as each one lasts.