2 World Title Bouts Lead Star-Studded ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER Card
The heroes of ONE Championship are set to descend upon the Studio City Event Center in Macau, and at the end of the blockbuster event, two of them will stand at the very top of the martial arts world.
On Saturday, 23 June, the promotion will return to thrill fans with ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER. The card is headlined by a pair of compelling world-title bouts, and will also see several top contenders, former world champions, and Muay Thai legends take to the ONE Championship cage.
A World Title Unification Match
In the main event, World Champion meets World Champion.
ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes (17-2) will collide with ONE Interim Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio (10-6) in a long-awaited title unification rematch.
The first time these men met was for the inaugural ONE Flyweight World Title in September 2014. It was a competitive match-up, but Moraes used his BJJ wizardry to submit the Filipino via guillotine choke in the second round to take the gold.
Since that contest almost four years ago, both men have gone from success to success, and continued to sharpen their skill sets. Both will arrive in Macau with the confidence brought on by possessing a world title belt, as well as greatly improved ability in the cage.
A Women’s Strawweight World Title Co-Main Event
“The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan (14-1) is ready to shine again.
The Chinese martial artist will defend the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship for the first time after capturing the inaugural title via fourth-round TKO in January.
She will meet promotional debutante Laura “The Gladiadora” Balin (10-2), a well-rounded South American contender who has a phenomenal 90 percent finishing rate.
Both competitors are known for their striking prowess as well as their grappling savvy, so a thrilling action-packed bout is all but guaranteed.
An Explosive Main Card
The rest of the explosive main card will see a former ONE Featherweight World Champion, a slew of contenders, two Muay Thai legends, and a rising superstar put on some world-class martial arts action.
After nearly a year and a half away from the cage, former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa (12-5) is finally ready to restart his quest back to the belt.
The Mongolian will face Team Lakay’s Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly (10-4), who in January recorded the fastest knockout in ONE’s featherweight division with his 21-second highlight-reel KO of Cambodia’s Meas Meul.
Speaking of talented featherweights, China’s “The Underdog” Li Kai Wen (7-4) is emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the division.
Since winning the ONE Featherweight Beijing Tournament 2014, he has gained momentum with impressive wins over the likes of Keanu Subba and Yang Sen. Most recently, in February, he submitted Roel Rosauro in 43 seconds – the third fastest submission victory ever in the featherweight division.
The Chinese warrior is set to welcome Rodian “The Reedemer” Menchavez (5-1) to the world’s biggest martial arts organization. Menchavez, a promising talent who trains at Manila’s Catalan Fighting Systems, is no slouch, riding a four-bout win streak with all of his victories coming by stoppage.
Also back in action is Ev “E.T.” Ting (15-4).
Following a close five-round decision defeat to then-ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang last April, the Malaysian juggernaut has surged back into title contention thanks to wins over former ONE Welterweight World Champion Nobutatsu Suzuki and Gracie BJJ black belt Ariel “Tarzan” Sexton.
Ting will face a tough test in former lightweight world title challenger Koji “The Commander” Ando (12-6). The Japanese veteran, known for his toughness and durability, is motivated to get back into the world title picture. By defeating “E.T.,” he would surely take a huge stride in his quest to accomplish that.
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The main card will also carry a sensational ONE Super Series Muay Thai bout, which is set to feature a clash between Singapore-based legend of Muay Thai, Petchboonchu FA Group, and rising superstar Fabrice Delannon at a catch weight of 67 kilograms.
Petchboonchu, who trains out of Evolve MMA, is known as the most decorated Muay Thai World Championship in history. He holds 14 world title belts, and won them on the strength of his trademark clinch game, knee-striking, and his ring IQ.
After retiring from Muay Thai in 2016, Petchboonchu makes his return against a very active Fabrice Delannon, The French-Guyanese athlete recently captured a MAX Muay Thai World Championship, and will look to make a huge mark on the global stage of martial arts by spoiling the legend’s comeback.
A Fully-Loaded Preliminary Card
The night is set to get off to an amazing start with four action-packed matches on the preliminary card.
Three-time Rajadamnern Stadium World Champion Lerdsila Phukettopteam, who has become a fan favorite in China, will battle Cambodia’s Sok Thy in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai bout scheduled to be contested in the flyweight division.
Four-time Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion Alain “The Panther” Ngalani will also return to the cage, but this time, the Hong Kong hulk will compete in a ONE Super Series heavyweight kickboxing bout. His opponent will be 2014 and 2015 Superkombat World Grand Prix Heavyweight Champion Tarik Khbabez.
Finally, two mixed martial arts contests will kick off ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER. “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin draws former flyweight world title challenger Danny “The King” Kingad, and Mario Satya Wirawan clashes with Rin Saroth in what should be a bantamweight thriller.
