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By Andreas Georgiou

Despite the roaring heat in Dubai, ONE FC: Reign of Champions was received as one of the promotion’s best ever events, as two new world champions were crowned at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Shinya Aoki made easy work of Kamal Shalarous, submitting the Iranian in just 2:15 of round number one to successfully defend his lightweight title. In a clinical showcase, Aoki scored the takedown and methodically worked his way up from the legs to take Shalarous’ back. From there, Aoki sunk in the rear naked choke to take the win, and cemented his future at lightweight. 

In the co-main event, ‘Funky’ Ben Askren snatched the welterweight title from Nobutatsu Suzuki with a scintillating performance that saw him stop Suzuki. Askren immediately took the fight to the ground, and landed numerous unanswered strikes to the Japanese fighter before referee Olivier Coste called a stop to the fight after just 1:30 of round one. After the fight, Askren issued the challenge to the rest of the Welterweights: “If these other welterweights want it, they can come get it the hard way.” 

The first title fight of the evening saw Narantungalag Jadambaa cap off a very impressive performance with a unanimous decision win, as he toppled an under par Koji Oishi to take the Featherweight belt. Jadambaa controlled the majority of the fight, as he utilised his grappling ability as well as flush combinations. The Mongolian had a few chances to finish the fight, however the durable Oishi survived five rounds to no avail. 

In his return to lightweight, ex-UFC prospect Roger Huerta claimed his first win since 2010, with a first round TKO over the UK’s previously undefeated Christian Holley. Huerta used his wrestling to pin Holley to the ground and tee off with knee’s to the face. Once he took the back he landed a plethora of strikes, forcing referee Yuji Shimada to stop the fight after just under two minutes of round one. 

It took James McSweeney little over a minute to continue his emphatic ONE FC run. The Sledgehammer knocked out opponent Cristiano Kaminishi with a right hand, followed by a brutal soccer kick. McSweeney stated he belies he can hold the belt at Heavyweight and Light-Heavyweight.

Elsewhere, Evolve MMA’s Herbert Burns scored a unanimous decision victory over Hiroshige Tanaka in a Featherweight clash. Burns almost finished the fight in the first round with a tight rear naked choke, however the very durable Tanaka managed to survive. Bar a few wild flurries from Tanaka it was a dominating Burns victory. 

Overall a very good show from ONE FC, who continue to impress with each and every event they put on. Their next card, Rise of the Kingdom, takes place on September 12th from the Koh Pich Theatre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as  Geje Eustaquio and Adriano Moraes clash for the inaugural flyweight championship.

ONE FC Reign of Champions Results:

Main card

Shinya Aoki def. Kamal Shalorus via sub (RNC) at 2:15 of R1 to retain LW title

Ben Askren def. Nobutatsu Suzuki via TKO (strikes) at 1:24 of R1 to win WW title

Jadamba Narantungalag def. Koji Oishi via unanimous decision to win FW title

Roger Huerta def. Christian Holley via TKO (strikes) at 3:13 of R1

James McSweeney def. Christiano Kaminishi via KO (strikes) at 1:17 of R1

Herbert Burns def. Hiroshige Tanaka via unanimous decision

Undercard

Mohamad Walid def. Vaughn Donayre via submission (armbar) at 1:05 of R1

Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke def. Ali Yaakub via sub (RNC) at 2:34 of R1

Ann Osman def. Ana Julaton via split decision

 

This review was brought to you by Andreas Georgiou, following him on twitter @AGeorgiouMMA

Photo Credits: ONE FC