Brandon Vera will make his Asian MMA debut against Igor Subora as ONE FC present Warrior’s Way which goes down Friday, December 5 from the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines.
Bantamweight title Bibiano Fernandes (c) vs. Dae Hwan Kim
Undefeated in ONE FC, Brazilian Fernandes will defend his bantamweight title for the second time against legitimate South Korean opponent Hwan Kim (10-0-1).
After successfully defending his gold against Masakatsu Ueda at Rise of Heroes back in May, Fernandes faces a much more credible test in Hwan Kim. The champion holds more than four years experience over his opponent in terms of turning professional. Training at AMC Pankration, the DREAM! veteran has the tools to complete defence number two.
Hwan Kim is 2-0 in the promotion and scored back-to-back rear naked choke submissions over Thanh Vu and Kevin Belingon, earning himself a 135lb title crack. The South Korean based in Seoul and trains out of Kukje Gym. He holds a 50% submission finish rate and if he is able to overcome Fernandes’s great takedown defence then it will make for an interesting battle.
Heavyweight Brandon Vera vs. Igor Subora
37 year-old Vera (12-7) makes his return to MMA after over 15 months out of the sport, as he debuts in ONE FC to take on the Ukraine’s URCC heavyweight champion Subora (5-1).
Vera is coming off two very heavy TKO losses in the UFC, to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Ben Rothwell, but the Filipino fighter will return to the cage replenished as he looks to insert an era of dominance in the ONE FC ranks. The 2005 WEC heavyweight Grand-Prix champion is a veteran and he will look to use that experience to dismantle his Fist Gym opponent.
Subora, 34, hasn’t fought in a year, and has much less activity among his career than the well-travelled Vera. Despite this, the Ukrainian boasts an 80% knockout ratio among his wins, and has never been stopped by strikes, showing his durability as he steps into the biggest fight of his career.
Lightweight Eduard Folayang vs. Timofey Nastyukhin
4-2 in the ONE FC cage, the Philippines’ own Folayang (14-4) welcomes Russian débutante Nastyukhin (7-1) to the promotion in an intriguing lightweight showdown.
Despite a rocky start to his ONE FC career, where he went 2-2, Folayang has won two straight in Asia, beating fan favourite Vincent Latoel and Kotetsu Boku by unanimous decision in his past two fights. Having gone to decision for 50% of his wins, the Lakay MMA fighter is always a tough opponent, as his tedious and grinding skill is frustrating for anyone on the night.
25 year-old Russian protege Nastyukhin couldn’t ask for a much tougher challenge in his first ONE FC appearance, however the Russian Top Team fighter is equipped to handle the test. Riding a seven fight win streak, Nastyukhin has won two straight by knockout, however his true danger lies with his fantastic takedowns and smuggling ground game.
Rest of the card
Bantamweight Kevin Belingon vs. Koetsu Okazaki
Light Heavyweight Sylvain Potard vs. Jake Butler
Women’s Flyweight Ana Julaton vs. Walaa Abbas
Light Heavyweight James McSweeney vs. Roger Gracie
Featherweight Honorio Banario vs. Herbert Burns
Flyweight Rene Catalan vs. Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke
Women’s Atomweight Jujeath Nagaowa vs. Tharoth Sam
Photo Credit- ONE Fighting Championship
