Brandon Vera’s Heavyweight title win at ONE Spirit of Champions was overshadowed by the unfortunate passing of Chinese flyweight Yang Jian Bing.
Bing, 21, passed away on 11 December 2015 at 12.06 PM due to cardiopulmonary failure, which at this moment is being linked with severe weight cutting issues.
In the main event of ONE Spirit of Champions, Vera; originally scheduled to face Chi Lewis-Parry, finished Paul Cheng with a head kick to claim the inaugural ONE Heavyweight title.
Subsequently, Cheng announced his retirement from MMA: “I’m ok everyone! Thanks for all the love.. back to the show biz for me. Thanks to Victor Cui for the bonus money and Fighting Brendon Vera for a world title. 2 weeks of hard training and 72 hours notice definately doesnt cut it. Going to hang out for a few days.. officially retiring from MMA. Stunt world see u soon! Ninja and Cee lo now I said a proper good bye.”
ONE Spirit of Champions Results
Heavyweight title: Brandon Vera def. Paul Cheng KO (punch and head kick) Round 1 0:26
Bantamweight: Jordan Lucas def. Mark Striegl Submission (rear-naked choke) Round 3 3:33
Flyweight: Eugene Torquero def. Li Wei Bin TKO (corner stoppage) Round 2 5:00
Women’s Flyweight: Irina Mazepa def. Ana Julaton Decision (unanimous) Round 3 5:00
Women’s Strawwweight: Angela Lee def. Lena Tkhorevska Submission (rear-naked choke) Round 2 3:26
Featherweight: Bruno Pucci def. Anthony Engelen Submission (rear-naked choke) Round 2 2:19
Flyweight: Alex Silva def. Ruel Catalan Submission (kneebar) Round 1 3:53
Featherweight: Christian Lee def. David Meak TKO (punches) Round 1 0:29
