5 Incredible Highlights From A Historic Manila Night

A legend was born on Friday, 10 November. History was made as ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen stepped into enemy territory, and knocked out defending titleholder Eduard “Landslide” Folayang in Manila, Philippines, to claim the ONE Lightweight World Championship at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD.

In just one punch, Nguyen altered his fate forever, and became the only two-division world champion in ONE Championship history.

Also, ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes showed his dominance by submitting previously unbeaten crowd favorite Danny “The King” Kingad, and Team Lakay’s Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon won his fourth-straight contest to state his case for a title rematch against ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes.

There were many unforgettable memories made at the Mall Of Asia Arena on that fine evening, but here are the five top highlights from ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD.

Martin Nguyen’s Stunning Knockout Of Eduard Folayang

Although he entered the contest as the underdog, ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen made history by knocking out ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang to capture his second world championship in three months.

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of his title win was the knockout itself. No one ever questioned Nguyen’s power, but the timing of his knockout and delivery of his overhand right was flawless. The 28-year-old Vietnamese-Australian incredibly caught Folayang in mid-spin to put him to sleep.

Nguyen not only silenced his critics, but also a sold-out crowd in the Mall Of Asia Arena. Instead of celebrating his record-setting win, however, he immediately checked on Folayang the second the bout was over, and sat beside him as his fallen friend was being attended to, further displaying his immense martial arts spirit.

Alex Silva Taps Out Undefeated Japanese Star Hayato Suzuki

This battle of elite grapplers was expected to be a long ground war, but BJJ world champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva was determined to make it a quick night.

Undefeated Japanese wrecking ball Hayato Suzuki blitzed through Joshua Pacio in August with his impeccable wrestling, and followed a similar game plan as he took Silva down immediately in their strawweight clash.

“Little Rock” remained calm, used a high guard to nullify Suzuki’s attack, and then masterfully created separation to secure the beginnings of an armbar. He rolled over a few more times with rapid transitions, finally got the left arm, and locked the hold in, which forced a feverish tap from the Japanese athlete.

Now, with five straight submission victories, Silva may be eyeing Suzuki’s fellow countryman — ONE Strawweight World Champion Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito.

Reece McLaren Submits Anatpong Bunrad, Shines In Flyweight Debut

Reece “Lightning” McLaren looked refreshed in his newly-launched flyweight campaign. After suffering a tough knockout loss at the hands of Belingon in August, the former ONE Bantamweight World Title challenger moved down a weight class for his match against Thailand’s Anatpong “Mak Mak” Bunrad.

It was a solid decision. He showed a willingness to exchange with the striker, but the moment the match went to the ground, it was all McLaren, as “Lightning” struck.

The Filipino-Australian transitioned from position to position, securing an arm-triangle before transitioning into an anaconda choke, finally submitting Bunrad via D’Arce choke with only seconds remaining in the opening stanza.

Joshua Pacio’s Spinning Back Fist KO Of Roy Doliguez

It was the only all-Filipino clash on the entire card, but Joshua “The Passion” Pacio made sure he was the one fans remembered when it was all said and done.

The Team Lakay representative fearlessly exchanged strikes with former pro boxer Roy “The Dominator” Doliguez, with both athletes trading positions on the ground to showcase their improving grappling skills.

Once the second round began, Pacio once again threatened with an assortment of kicks. In particular, he connected with a low kick to the knee, placed his foot down, and then launched a spinning back fist that dropped Doliguez instantly for the KO win.

Peng Xue Wen Brings Phat Soda Crashing To Earth

Chinese debutant Peng Xue Wen made quite the impact in Manila on Friday, 10 November. 

Peng showcased the elite grappling that earned him a Chinese Youth Greco-Roman Wrestling Title, and utilized it to get a sensational suplex knockout victory over Cambodia’s Phat Soda

While in a scramble, Peng got behind the Cambodian Top Team product, grabbed him by the waist, and delivered a belly-to-back suplex that knocked him out as soon as he hit the canvas. Needless to say, it is a promotional debut that no one will soon forget.