5 Reasons Why ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR Is Unmissable
Following on from the record-breaking ONE: A NEW ERA event in Tokyo, Japan, ONE Championship has not paused for breath with its stacked ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR card in Manila, Philippines.
A pair of World Title bouts top the bill with support from a talent-rich undercard full of match-ups that could propel many martial arts heroes to new heights in their careers.
When the action begins this Friday, 12 April, these are just some of the reasons why you need to catch every minute from the Mall of Asia Arena.
Battle Of Generations For The ONE Featherweight World Title
Almost five years after he first captured the gold, Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa is back for another crack at the belt as he challenges Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen for the ONE Featherweight World Title.
This should be a fascinating battle between one of The Home Of Martial Arts’ most battle-hardened veterans, against one of the new generation of dynamic athletes who is still reaching his prime.
Nguyen made history by becoming the organization’s first two-division World Champion thanks to a pair of the most spectacular one-punch knockouts ever seen in ONE.
Now, he has chosen to focus on his natural weight class and put all his energy into building a legacy as a legendary ruler of the featherweight division.
Jadambaa plans on upsetting those plans by completing a remarkable return to the top to become the oldest World Champion in ONE history.
“The Situ-Asian” has youth and speed on his side, but Jadambaa has the power to reclaim the crown. It is anyone’s guess as to who will emerge with their hand raised.
Relentless Competitors Clash For The ONE Strawweight World Title
ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta and former World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio are among the most exciting and energetic athletes on the ONE roster, and they will face off for the second time in Manila.
Pacio’s reign at the top of the division lasted just one match as he was defeated by his Japanese rival after five rounds of relentless action in January.
However, the margin of victory was razor-thin, as Saruta claimed a split-decision from the judges. In the aftermath, there was much debate, so an immediate rematch was ordered to try and leave no doubt about who the division’s premier athlete is.
Though their first meeting showed both men are evenly-matched, they each have ways to finish. Pacio’s creative striking is backed up by a sneaky submission game, while Saruta packs serious power in his fists, as well as the strength to force a tap on the mat if he gets the chance.
Heavy Hitters Bringing Knockout Power
A pair of ONE Super Series match-ups featuring giants from the biggest weight classes will showcase some of the most powerful kickboxing talents on the planet.
In heavyweight action, Australia’s Andre ” The Giant” Meunier returns to ONE Super Series looking to capture a victory against decorated Brazilian Anderson “Braddock” Silva, who will make his eagerly-anticipated ONE Super Series debut.
Before that, Morocco’s “Mr. Cool” Ibrahim El Bouni will take on hard-hitting Romanian Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica in a clash between two of the most dynamic light-heavyweight kickboxers in the world.
All four men are more than capable of ending contests with one punch, kick or knee, so don’t blink when the bell rings because a knockout is more than likely.
Muay Thai Masters Ready To Put On A Show
In addition to the two heavy-hitting kickboxing contests above, ONE Super Series will also deliver two exciting Muay Thai match-ups in Manila.
First up, Thailand’s Lerdsila Phuket Top Team will return with his creative and unorthodox striking to battle on Japanese striker Kohei “Momotaro” Kodera in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at flyweight.
Following that encounter, bantamweight powerhouse Saemapetch Fairtex faces Serbian-American technician Ognjen Topic in a clash that could have implications for the future of the top of their division.
All four athletes are World Champions and have not failed to deliver the goods so far in the world’s largest martial arts organization, so expect some more fast-paced, exceptional examples of “the art of eight limbs” when they return at the Mall Of Asia Arena.
Filipino Heroes Go To Battle
The Manila crowd is among the loudest and most passionate in the martial arts world, and it will be on its feet for three more local heroes as they aim to claim vital victories on home soil.
Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly will join Pacio from Team Lakay on the bill in a striker-versus-grappler featherweight battle against Sung Jong Lee that is practically guaranteed to bring a sensational stoppage.
Kelly’s brother, Eric – one of his nation’s best-loved veterans of mixed martial arts – will also return to action against South Korean opposition as he faces “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il.
ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR will kick off with Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzalez, who will aim to ignite the Mall Of Asia Arena by getting past Japan’s Akihiro “Superjap” Fujisawa in a strawweight showdown.
