Two World Title Matches Are Set To Headline ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR
ONE Championship will make its return to the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines with ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR on Friday, 12 April, and a pair of World Title matches will headline the show.
Coincidentally, two former World Champions will attempt to win back their respective belts in the main and co-main event bouts.
In the main event, ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen will defend his gold for the second time.
The Vietnamese-Australian will put the coveted belt on the line against former titleholder Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa.
Nguyen defeated Christian “The Warrior” Lee to retain the featherweight crown in his first World Title defense last May. Ever since that victory, the 29-year-old has been open about his desire to face the Mongolian, who he considers to be “a legend” of martial arts.
After a year and a half away from the sport, Jadambaa made a thunderous return to The Home Of Martial Arts and earned a shot at the World Title he used to own.
In the space of three weeks, the 43-year-old knocked out Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly and took a unanimous decision after a thrilling three-round encounter with Kazuki Tokudome.
Also, in the co-main event, ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke “Tobizaru” Saruta will make his first World Title defense against the division’s former king, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio.
This will be a rematch of their headlining tilt from ONE: ETERNAL GLORY, which took place on Saturday, 19 January.
On that night in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saruta defeated the Team Lakay representative to take the belt via razor-thin split decision.
Due to the slim margin of victory, the Japanese warrior and his Filipino rival will meet once again in search of a more decisive conclusion.