Vera, Cerilli, Folayang, And Khan Face Off In Manila

The stars of ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS‘ World Title bouts have come face-to-face in Manila, Philippines.

ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera squared off with Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli, and Eduard “Landslide” Folayang met Amir Khan ahead of their match for the vacant ONE Lightweight World Title.

The athletes faced each other at an open workout at the Victoria Sports Tower ahead of their main and co-main event contests, respectively at the Mall Of Asia Arena next Friday, 23 November.

Vera will make his first appearance in the cage for almost two years, but he said his time away will have no negative impact on his performance.

In fact, he warned his opponent he will be an improved competitor when he performs in front of his compatriots next week.

“I’ve been away for a while, almost two years, but don’t think for a second that I haven’t been training and keeping sharp,” he says.

“I’m stronger, faster, smarter, and better now than ever before. My team has made sure that I will be at my best by the time I step back into the ONE Cage.

“This is home for me. I really missed this and I am excited to perform in front of you all next Friday night. The belt is going to stay in the Philippines.”

Italy’s Cerilli will make his promotional debut when he challenges for the gold in the Philippine capital.

The Cage Warriors Heavyweight Champion expressed how grateful he was for the opportunity to take the top prize in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and promised he will do everything in his power to dethrone a national icon.

“I am very honored to be here and to challenge your champion. Joining ONE Championship, I know the competition is fierce and I will be faced with the best in the world,” he said.

“Brandon is a great champion, but he’s lost his edge. I am here to claim the ONE Heavyweight World Championship.

“When I step into the cage on 23 November, I will be in the best shape of my career and I’m looking to score the upset. Thank you for having me, Manila. It is an honor to be here.”

Folayang and Khan find themselves in a battle for the top honors in arguably ONE’s most talent-stacked division after Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen vacated his belt in September due to injury.

Folyang will return to the venue where he lost the World Title to Nguyen last year, but he said that experience forced him to return stronger and become the weight class’ first two-time World Champion.

“I am so happy for the opportunity to once again be fighting for the World Title. As always, I feel motivated and encouraged to do my best,” the 34-year-old Team Lakay athlete said.

“I want to prove to the world that I am not done yet in this sport, and that I can still be World Champion.

“Losing the title for the first time, it was a very painful feeling. But in defeat, I have discovered my weaknesses and made efforts to improve certain parts of my game. Now I am ready to showcase my championship form once again.

“Amir is a great young martial artist. He has shown tremendous growth since his very first ONE Championship bout. I cannot underestimate him because he is younger than I am.”

Khan is 10 years younger than the man from Baguio City, and will enter his first World Title bout against a man who will have almost every fan in the arena behind him.

However, the Singaporean has proved he is worthy of the chance to write his name in martial arts history with 10 stoppage wins in ONE, and he will not be overawed by the occasion.

“It has been a long journey for me. I’ve worked very hard for this. Ever since I started this journey, I have had one goal in mind and that’s to be champion,” the Evolve representative said.

“Everything I have done so far has been to work towards achieving that dream. I have 13 bouts in ONE Championship and 11 of those are wins. I’ve won my last two in exciting fashion. It’s only right that I am now challenging for the World Title.

“I’ll be facing former champion Eduard Folayang, and I’m going to his hometown, so I know it’s going to be a tough challenge. He has the home crowd advantage, but I am confident of victory.”