Yodcherry Sityodtong takes on Kaiting Chuang for inaugural ONE Super Series Kickboxing Atomweight World Championship

25 June 2018 – Guangzhou, China: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has just announced the main event of ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS, set for Saturday, 7 July, at the Guangzhou Tianhe Gymnasium in Guangzhou, China. Yodcherry Sityodtong of Thailand will take on Kaiting Chuang of Chinese Taiwan for the inaugural ONE Super Series Kickboxing Atomweight World Championship.

Ticket information for ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS is available at www.onefc.com.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “World-class martial arts makes a triumphant return to the beautiful city of Guangzhou with another spectacular event. ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS will feature a titanic clash between superstar strikers, as Thailand’s Yodcherry Sityodtong faces Chinese Taiwan’s Kaiting Chuang for the inaugural ONE Super Series Kickboxing Atomweight World Championship. The two will be joined by several of the very best martial arts talent from China and the world, so don’t miss this awesome evening of authentic martial arts action.”

19-year-old Muay Thai phenom Yodcherry Sityodtong makes her long-awaited ONE Championship debut when she competes for the inaugural ONE Super Series Kickboxing Atomweight World Championship. Sityodtong, who represents Evolve MMA in Singapore, features an impressive professional Muay Thai record of 81-18-1. At such a young age, Sityodtong has already garnered many achievements in the ring, having won various Muay Thai world championships throughout her young career. Now, Sityodtong looks to make her first appearance in ONE Super Series, taking on Kaiting Chuang.

23-year-old Kaiting Chuang of Taipei, Chinese Taiwan is making her ONE Championship debut at ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS. A professional kickboxer with a record of 16-5, Chuang represents Iron Boxing, and is a Chinese Taiwan Kickboxing Champion. Nicknamed “Killer Bee,” Chuang will go up against Yodcherry Sityodtong in the main event, which is set to crown the first-ever ONE Super Series Kickboxing Atomweight World Champion.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Geje Eustaquio unifies ONE Flyweight World Championship with split decision victory over Adriano Moraes

PLUS: XIONG JING NAN DOMINATES LAURA BALIN TO WIN BY UNANIMOUS DECISION

ALSO: PETCHMORRAKOT WOR. SANGPRAPAI DEFEATS FABRICE FAIRTEX DELANNON VIA TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT

 Adriano Moraes, Geje Eustaquio

23 June 2018 – Macau, China: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), returned to the glamorous entertainment capital of Asia with another evening of authentic world-class martial arts action. The packed Studio City Event Center in Macau, China played host to ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, featuring the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. In the main event, Geje Eustaquio became the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion, defeating Adriano Moraes via split decision. In the co-main event, Xiong Jing Nan retained the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship by dominating Laura Balin in five rounds to claim a unanimous decision win.

In the main event of ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, a riveting battle took place between two outstanding mixed martial artists in the world today as flyweight rivals Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes put everything on the line to unify the ONE Flyweight World Championships. Both men went back-and-forth, swapping solid blows and momentum-shifting takedowns from bell to bell. Neither of the two would give each other any quarter for five rounds as both men traded their best offense all throughout the highly-anticipated title unification contest. After a gruelling encounter inside the ONE Championship ring, Eustaquio sent the crowd into a rapturous chorus of cheers by clinching a split decision win over Moraes to become the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion.

Geje Eustaquio, ONE Flyweight World Champion, stated: “The feeling is awesome. I want to thank all my kababayans (countrymen) here who came out to support me. I came to Macau with one vision, and that is to [unify the flyweight titles], and I know I am not capable of doing this alone. I want to thank God, Team Lakay, and of course my family. And to all the fans, thank you so much for the undying support. Ladies and gentlemen, when I started 14 years ago, this was impossible. But now, after 14 years, impossible is not a word, it’s just a reason. Anybody can be a world champion, as long as you have the drive and the attitude. I am proud to be the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion this time.”

In the co-main event of the evening, “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China successfully defended the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship, defeating elite South American contender Laura Balin. With the desire to leave Macau remaining the division’s queen, Xiong overwhelmed Balin with her superb grappling pedigree. On the canvas, Xiong continuously pummeled Balin with thudding strikes and tried to bring the bout to a close with multiple submission attempts throughout the championship clash. Xiong punctuated the bout by outslugging Balin in the final round, steering herself to a dominant unanimous decision victory.

Making his ONE Super Series debut, two-division Lumpinee Stadium World Champion Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai emerged triumphant against French dynamo Fabrice Fairtex Delannon in a catchweight Muay Thai encounter. Proving his stature as one of the top pound-for-pound Muay Thai practitioners in the world, Petchmorrakot finished the task at hand with a series of elbows that opened up a cut on Delannon’s forehead, coercing the ringside physician to halt the contest just 43 seconds into the second round.

Malaysian-Kiwi spitfire Ev “E.T.” Ting defeated another notable name in the promotion’s stacked lightweight division, routing fellow former world title contender Koji “The Commander” Ando of Japan. It was a striking showcase from start to finish as both men delivered shattering blows. Although Ando gallantly traded punches with Ting, the latter connected on effective strikes through excellent counterpunching. Ting pulled away in the last round when he scored on a devastating high knee. With his gutsy performance against Ando, Ting was awarded a unanimous decision win.

In a fierce clash of top ONE featherweights, former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa of Mongolia turned in a vintage performance, stopping top divisional contender Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly of the Philippines by technical knockout in the second round. Jadambaa dominated both striking and grappling exchanges, while Kelly tried his best to fend off the former champion’s advances. However, Jadambaa’s pressure was too much to handle for Kelly, who succumbed to a series of ground strikes from the back.

In a ONE Super Series Muay Thai flyweight contest, the legendary Lerdsila Phuket Top Team of Thailand overcame a tremendous effort from his younger opponent Sok Thy of Cambodia, winning by split decision after three rounds. The two locked horns in a spirited clash of talented strikers, peppering each other with fiery combinations while showcasing great defense. In the end, it was Lerdsila who was able to earn two of the three judges’ nods.

Moroccan promotional newcomer Tarik Khbabez left a lasting impression in his first ONE Super Series appearance, notching a third-round knockout victory over heavyweight Alain “The Panther” Ngalani. Khbabez silenced the Cameroonian with his pressuring offense, catching Ngalani with a stream of punishing strikes from the first round to the final frame. In the third round, Khbabez unleashed a torrent of impactful blows that brought Ngalani to his knees. An exhausted Ngalani failed to beat the 10-count, compelling the referee to wave off the bout and declare Khbabez the victor via knockout.

In a ONE Super Series Muay Thai flyweight contest, Yukinori Ogasawara of Japan overcame a tremendous effort from Rui Botelho of Portugal to win by scintillating knockout in the second round. After coming from behind in the first frame, Ogasawara unleashed a beautifully-timed spinning back elbow in the second, turning the lights out on Botelho to emerge victorious in his ONE Championship debut.

Former ONE Featherweight Beijing Tournament 2014 Champion, “The Underdog” Li Kai Wen of China walked out to a thunderous chorus of cheers as he took on Rodian “The Redeemer” Menchavez of the Philippines. Featuring his trademark aggression and explosive power, Li blasted Menchavez with a monstrous right hand to finish his Filipino foe impressively in the first round via one-punch knockout. The finish set a new ONE Championship record of fastest finish in featherweight history at 10 seconds, shattering the previous record of 21 seconds set by Team Lakay’s Edward Kelly. It also earned Li the GoDaddy KO of the Night honors.

Flyweight standouts Danny “The King” Kingad of the Philippines and “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin of China put on an electric performance for the raucous crowd in Macau, delivering a thrilling exchange of offense. A former ONE Flyweight World Championship title challenger, Kingad utilized a heavy torrent of leg kicks and ferocious ground-and-pound to dominate Ma over three full rounds. In the end, Kingad earned a unanimous decision victory for his efforts.

Kicking off ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER were bantamweights Rin Saroth of Cambodia and Mario Satya Wirawan of Indonesia. The two figured in a spirited scrap, setting the pace for an exciting evening of martial arts action. After a showcase of evenly-matched striking and grappling, it was Saroth who emerged victorious, defeating Wirawan via technical knockout in the third round.

Official results for ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER

ONE Flyweight World Championship bout: Geje Eustaquio defeats Adriano Moraes by Split Decision (SD) after 5 rounds

ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship bout: Xiong Jing Nan defeats Laura Balin by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 5 rounds

ONE Super Series Muay Thai catchweight bout (67.0kg): Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai defeats Fabrice Fairtex Delannon by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 0:43 minutes of round 2

Lightweight bout: Ev Ting defeats Koji Ando by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Featherweight bout: Narantungalag Jadambaa defeats Edward Kelly by TKO (Strikes) at 4:58 minutes of round 2

ONE Super Series Muay Thai flyweight bout: Lerdsila Phuket Top Team defeats Sok Thy by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

ONE Super Series Kickboxing heavyweight bout: Tarik Khbabez defeats Alain Ngalani by Knockout (KO) at 1:49 minutes of round 3

ONE Super Series Muay Thai flyweight bout: Yukinori Ogasawara defeats Rui Botelho by Knockout (KO) at 2:54 minutes of round 2

Featherweight bout: Li Kai Wen defeats Rodian Menchavez by Knockout (KO) at 0:10 minutes of round 1

Flyweight bout: Danny Kingad defeats Ma Hao Bin by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Bantamweight bout: Rin Saroth defeats Mario Satya Wirawan by TKO (Strikes) at 2:30 minutes of round 3

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Flyweight title picture hangs in the balance for Danny Kingad in Macau

ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER in Macau, China on June 23 is one of the deepest cards from top to bottom offered by ONE Championship for its 24-event calendar this 2018.

From the preliminary portion to the main card of ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, there are plenty of bouts with championship and ranking implications, including the three-round flyweight encounter between former title contender Danny Kingad and Chinese prospect Ma Hao Bin.

The winner of the aforementioned 61.2-kilogram tussle could earn a shot at the ONE Flyweight World Championship, which will be on the line in the main event of ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER as Adriano Moraes is slated to duke it out with Geje Eustaquio in a much-awaited rematch and title unification contest.

Kingad is now trying to build some momentum towards a second crack at the ONE Flyweight World Championship, while Ma has aced six of his assignments since joining the promotion in 2016.

However, the 22-year-old Baguio City native finds himself in a peculiar position if he and his teammate Eustaquio will walk out of the Studio City Event Center with respective victories.

Kingad knows that he has to be relegated to a gatekeeping role if Eustaquio will be successful in unifying both titles against Moraes at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER.

“I will be super happy for coach Geje if he wins the match in Macau. It’s an honor to be competing alongside him on June 23. I’ve learned a lot of things from him. For this training camp, I’ve spent more time with him. I want him to win the title,” he said.

Although he could be knocking on the door for a world title shot again with a decisive win over Ma, Kingad stressed that he will gladly play gatekeeper to Eustaquio.

“I don’t mind filling that role if ever he wins against Adriano Moraes. He is my senior, and we are teammates. He is like a brother to me,” he stated. “I am still young. I believe that my time will come.”

Kingad is not fond of the idea of squaring off with Eustaquio for the flyweight crown, pointing out that he would not trade his treasured friendship with his Team Lakay comrade for a shot at the world title.

“That's not going to happen. We always go at it in practice anyway. I'm happy that I get to spar with him all the time because he pushes me to the limit. We push each other, and we push each other to the next level,” he shared.

“I will support coach Geje all the way. For now, I'll just keep getting better as a competitor. I'll wait for my time,” Kingad added.

Following an unsuccessful challenge for the ONE Flyweight World Championship this past November against Moraes, which ended in his first professional defeat, Kingad rebounded with an impressive triumph over a battle-tested veteran in Sotir Kichukov four months later.

Kingad seeks to sustain his winning groove in ONE Championship as he is set to take on Ma, a Chinese national freestyle wrestling champion with a mixed martial arts record of 11-2.

Diligently preparing under the tutelage of head coach Mark Sangiao at Team Lakay in Baguio City, Kingad is fully aware of his opponent’s capabilities.

“Training is, as usual, very tough. We are drilling very hard each and every day. I am still working on all areas, be it my striking or my grappling,” he mentioned.

“Knowing my opponent is a good wrestler, however, I am particularly working on my takedown defense for this match. I want to keep this fight standing, so I have worked very hard on my takedown defense,” Kingad explained further.

Despite the threat that Ma poses in the grappling department, Kingad assured that he is comfortable wherever the bout goes on June 23.

“I want to test his stand-up game. I believe I am stronger, faster, and more explosive than he is,” he disclosed. “I am definitely going for a knockout in this match. However, if he does take me to the ground, I will be ready for anything.”

Kingad believes that his in-ring meeting with Ma at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER is a must-win clash as he embarks on a hazy road towards the organization’s flyweight championship.

“I must win this bout because honestly, I don’t know what the future holds. What if we don’t get the result that we want for coach Geje? I am ready to step up. I cannot wait to get right back in there and make another run at the title. I know things will be very different next time,” he ended.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.​ ​ ​

There is no stopping Mongolian brute Narantungalag Jadambaa at age 42

Narantungalag Jadambaa

At an age when many athletes have already decided to call it a day, former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa is still aiming to reach the peak form of his professional career.

If anyone thinks that his best days are in the rearview mirror, the 42-year-old Mongolian veteran begs to disagree.

“Age is just a number. Anything is possible if you work for it,” Jadambaa quipped.

Jadambaa, a grappler known for his immense one-punch knockout power, will return to action for the first time since losing to arch-nemesis Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in their November 2016 featherweight title rematch.

Since then, the Mongolian has been on the sidelines, but he has remained active at the gym, working to add new dimensions to his mixed martial arts arsenal.

At 42 years old, it may appear like he is at the tail end of his glorious stint as a mixed martial artist, but the trouper claims that he feels ten years younger than his actual age and is motivated to make another run at the gold.

“After competing against Marat Gafurov, I thought that I needed to improve my wrestling and grappling skills, and my physical strength. Now, I think that I have improved myself even more than before,” he shared.

For his long-awaited return, Jadambaa is scheduled to take on Filipino hard-hitter Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, which takes place at the Studio City Event Center in Macau, China on 23 June.

Jadambaa promises to display the new and improved skills that he has developed and do something special inside the five-rope ONE Championship ring.

“I have been ready to fight anytime,” he assured. “I am in good shape, and I am happy to fight again. My heart is driven to fight. I have been preparing new techniques, and I will show something new in my next fight. You can believe it.”

Although getting back into world title contention is often at the back of every competitor’s mind, Jadambaa pointed out that he is taking one bout at a time for now.

According to Jadambaa, the only thing occupying his thoughts at the moment is his upcoming three-round clash with Kelly, who has ascended up the ranks of ONE Championship’s featherweight division.

“I am only thinking about the fight with Edward Kelly now,” he stated. “If I beat him, I think it would be right to continue to fight, and it will motivate me to train more as a result.”

Jadambaa is well acquainted with the Kelly clan as he once shared the ONE Championship stage with the Team Lakay representative’s older brother Eric, whom he defeated by way of 44-second knockout in July 2016.

However, Jadambaa knows about the danger that the younger Kelly poses in their match-up at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER.

“I think he is strong, a good fighter. You can’t compare him with his brother. Stylistically, both of them are different. I have a tall order in front of me on 23rd of June,” he said.

Entering the marquee featherweight contest as the older man, Jadambaa believes that age will be an issue.

“I always think that I am ten years younger than my actual age, so age will not play a factor at all,” he expressed.

According to Jadambaa, his age means he has less time to accomplish his goal than the younger lions in the organization, but he plans to make up for it by utilizing his vast wealth of knowledge.

Jadambaa revealed that he is concentrating heavily on his cardiovascular regimen to ensure that he can physically match anyone else in the division.

“The focus has to be on endurance and cardio. I do long distance running a few times a week. I mix that with 100-meter sprints,” he explained.

Even though many cageside pundits suggest that he should hang up his gloves for good due to his age, Jadambaa maintained that he is not yet done in the sport.

“My age won’t stop me from competing. I want to prove that age is no obstacle. It is only a number. Edward Kelly, be ready. I can still fight like a young and hungry warrior,” he ended.

​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.​ ​ ​

Edward Kelly fixes sights on another highlight-reel finish to establish world title contender status

Edward Kelly

13 June 2018, Macau China: After scoring a highlight-reel finish in his last bout, Filipino homegrown talent Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly looks for another scintillating performance as he is set to have his second scheduled match under the ONE Championship banner in 2018.

Kelly will be squaring off with former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa on the undercard of ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, which takes place at the Studio City Event Center in Macau, China on June 23.

The 34-year-old Baguio City native eyes a follow-up to his 21-second knockout win over Cambodia’s Meas Meul this past January.

At the opening bell, Kelly engaged Meul at the center of the cage and connected on a quick three-punch combination before unleashing the final blow that sent Meul face first into the canvas.

Kelly now owns both the fastest knockout and finish in ONE Championship’s featherweight division, with the scorching stoppage going viral around the world.

“I am a martial artist who always looks for the finish. As much as possible, I want to give the fans what they want. They came and bought a ticket for an action-packed bout with an amazing conclusion,” Kelly said.

“In my upcoming bout, my fans should expect that I will have the same mentality. I will look for that finish,” he added.

However, having that distinction and honor is not something that the humble Kelly would brag about.

“The record does not mean much. Whether it is 21 seconds or the full three rounds, what matters is that I prepared myself to be the best,” he stated. “I think I just did my part to show the world what I am capable of inside the cage. The win was great, but now it is back to training, and getting better for the next bout.”

Kelly is ascending up ONE Championship’s featherweight ranks, but in order for him to reach the next level, he must defeat a tough opponent in Jadambaa at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER.

“I am at a great spot in my career, and I am extremely excited to be facing Jadambaa. I cannot wait to test my skills against a former world champion and a respected veteran in mixed martial arts,” he expressed.

Kelly stressed that he is nothing but respect to Jadambaa, who was last seen in action when he yielded to fellow former featherweight kingpin Marat Gafurov in their November 2016 title rematch.

“To be honest, Jadambaa is one of the very few peers that I look up to in ONE Championship. He is my idol. He is incredibly tough and durable. But most importantly, he has a big heart. It is an honor for me to compete against him,” he disclosed.

Despite the vast difference in terms of competitive experience, Kelly believes that his youth will play a pivotal factor in his three-round ring encounter with the 42-year-old Mongolian kickboxer.

“The only advantage I would have probably is age. I am a little younger than he is, and he has been in more cage wars, so the mileage is there. But in this particular fight, I do not think it will matter. I am expecting an honest, explosive contest between two talented strikers,” he explained.

Aiming to continue his winning ways on the ONE Championship stage, Kelly believes that having his hand raised against Jadambaa will push him into the upper echelon of the featherweight division.

“Being that he is the former featherweight world champion, this bout is very significant. I know if I can beat Jadambaa, it will bring me one huge step closer to getting that title shot,” he ended.

Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai aims to replicate Muay Thai success in ONE Super Series

Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai

14 June 2018, Macau China - Revered by many for the incredible speed, power and precision behind all his strikes, celebrated Thai kickboxer Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai will venture into new territory to reignite his illustrious career.

Widely considered as one of the best pound-for-pound competitors in the world of Muay Thai, Petchmorrakot will make his debut under the ONE Championship banner on 23 June as part of the highly-acclaimed ONE Super Series.

ONE Super Series was launched by ONE Championship last April to showcase the purest forms of world-class striking and its adrenaline-pumping action on the world’s biggest and most prestigious stage of competition.

Petchmorrakot is scheduled to duke it out with French dynamo Fabrice Fairtex Delannon on the undercard of ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, which takes place at the Studio City Event Center in Macau, China.

The 24-year-old multiple Muay Thai titleholder believes that by joining the promotion’s ONE Super Series, it opens a new chapter in his professional kickboxing stint.

“It’s a new beginning for me. I am excited to be in this new journey. I hope everything will turn our great for me as part of the growing ONE Championship roster,” he said.

Despite his young age, Petchmorrakot has already defeated some of the biggest names in Muay Thai, claiming multiple Muay Thai world championship titles in the process.

Hailing from Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand’s northern Isan region, Petchmorrakot was actually inspired by his younger brother when he was just nine years old to begin training in Muay Thai.

Spurred by his success and proven talent, he then moved to Bangkok in 2012 to further his budding career and compete at the highest levels of the sport.

It proved to be one of the best decisions he ever made as Petchmorrakot went on to claim Lumpinee Stadium World Championships in two divisions, as well as a WMC Muay Thai title, in a career spanning almost 200 professional bouts.

Owning an experience record of 155-33-2 in Muay Thai, Petchmorrakot is now ready to carry over his wealth of combat experience and exceptional skills on the ultimate proving grounds of martial arts.

“I am very excited and little bit nervous for this upcoming bout,” he stated. “This is my debut match in ONE Championship. Everybody knows ONE Championship is a big event that draws huge audiences. I am training very hard for my bout to get the victory.”

Petchmorrakot expects a tough encounter with Delannon, who defeated high-level opposition to become a three-time MAX Muay Thai World Champion in two different weight classes.

“I’m expecting a good challenge. He is a strong warrior. I am preparing a solid defense against him, but of course, I am mixing in some offense as well. I am not sure if he will expect that I will add a twist to my game,” he explained.

“For this match, I think the strategy will flow once I am in the ring. I will just do my best to get the win, but also provide an exciting bout for the audience to enjoy,” Petchmorrakot added.

Petchmorrakot hopes to translate his Muay Thai success on the biggest stage in martial arts as he tests his skills among the world’s best strikers in ONE Super Series.

“I left everything to live my dream. I am living it, and I am happy. Now, I just want to take on the top fighters in the world in ONE Championship and do my best,” he concluded.

British boxer Amir Khan to attend ‘Brave 13: Europe Evolution’ in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Amir Khan

British professional boxer Amir Khan has announced that he is attending “Brave 13: Europe Evolution,” the first event of Bahrain-based mixed martial arts promotion Brave Combat Federation to be held in Europe. The fight night will take place at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland on June 9, 2018.

In May 2018, Khan went to Bahrain and visited the Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Mixed Martial Arts (KHK MMA) Gym, which is home to the KHK MMA Fight Team. Both Brave CF and KHK MMA were founded by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa from the Royal family of Bahrain. 

During the visit, Khan interacted with Brave CF president Mohammed “The Hawk” Shahid,the first MMA fighter from Bahrain to compete in an international bout. They discussed key projects regarding boxing and MMA.

KHK MMA has expanded its initiatives into boxing. Recently, it hosted the first boxing fight night in Bahrain. 

When Khan visited the KHK MMA Gym, he interacted with the fighters. The recent developments have given rise to speculations that the British professional boxer is working closely with Brave CF towards future initiatives.

Khan held the World Boxing Association title from 2009 to 2012, the International Boxing Federation title in 2011 and the World Boxing Council Silver welterweight title from 2014 to 2016.

At the age of 17, Khan won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, which took place in Athens, Greece. This made him the youngest boxing Olympic medalist from Britain.  

As a professional boxer, Khan holds a record of 32 wins and 4 losses. In his most recent bout, which took place at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, England on April 21, 2018, he knocked out Phil Lo Greco of Canada in the first round.

Defeating Adriano Moraes will be ultimate career highlight for ‘King of Rematch’ Geje Eustaquio

​​

Adriano Moraes, Geje Eustaquio

If based on the old idiom “Second time’s the charm,” it would be​ the perfect ​embodiment to depict Filipino superstar Geje Eustaquio’s professional mixed martial arts career as Lady Luck seems to be on his side in every rematch that he has had.

Out of 16 bouts in his seven-year prizefighting stint, Eustaquio has shared the stage with the same foe on two occasions, walking out in both instances with his arm raised in triumph.

After dropping a split decision to Anatpong Bunrad in April 2015, Eustaquio settled the score with his arch-nemesis two years later by edging out the Thai hard-hitter with his own split decision victory.

Meanwhile, Eustaquio clinched the ONE Interim Flyweight World Championship, toppling Kazakh rival Kairat Akhmetov by way of five-round unanimous decision in a second encounter this past January.

“Winning the world title is a dream come true for me. Ever since I started my professional career, the goal was to be a world champion. Now, that goal is a reality,” Eustaquio stated.

Believing that it could be sweeter the second time around, the 29-year-old Baguio City native seeks to replicate the same magic as he is slated to lock horns once again with Brazilian flyweight kingpin Adriano Moraes.

Both men are scheduled to face each other in a world title unification clash at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, which takes place at the Studio City Event Center in Macau, China on June 23.

“There were lots of trials and challenges. My path was not the easiest, but I always knew what I had to do to achieve it. Like I always say, it’s either you win or you learn. I learned from my past failures. And here I am today. That’s the secret to my success,” Eustaquio shared.

“On June 23, I have a tough task in front of me. However, it is still an opportunity for me, an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. On that date, it’s my opportunity to become the undisputed champion of this division. And I am coming for it,” he added.

Eustaquio and Moraes stood opposite each other for the first time in September 2014 when the two collided for the inaugural ONE Flyweight World Championship.

Moraes derailed Eustaquio’s championship aspirations as he found a way to counteract his opponent’s striking prowess in the second round and then forced the 5-foot-5 Team Lakay representative to wave the white flag with a guillotine choke.

Eustaquio admitted that it was a tough defeat to digest, but he pointed out that he took a lot away from it by viewing it as a learning curve.

“That loss has taught me a lot. Ever since then, I have worked extensively in improving in all areas,” he said. “I have worked extremely hard to get to this point because deep inside, I knew we would meet again. Now I can finally give him a better fight.”

Since his initial meeting with Moraes almost four years ago, Eustaquio stressed that he has grown tremendously as he has matured and expanded his skillset.

“I have evolved as a martial artist since we first met inside the cage in 2014. I know that it will be different in the rematch against Adriano Moraes. The second bout against Kairat Akhmetov is a testament that I am no longer a one-dimensional fighter. I trusted my team, and in the bout against Akhmetov, one of the things we worked on was how to bring the bout back to the feet,” he explained.

In his upcoming rematch, Eustaquio expects that the Brazilian submission specialist may look to focus on using his other skills.

“This time around, I have a feeling we will be standing more. I think he will want to stand and trade with me to test his striking,” he reasoned. “If the going gets rough, then he can focus on taking it to the mat. The same principle applies to me. I want to test my Jiu-Jitsu skills too, and what better opponent than Adriano Moraes to do so against?”

According to Eustaquio, defeating Moraes to become the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion would be the proudest moment of his career.

“This rematch is very big. It is the biggest of my career, no doubt. I am treating this bout as the most significant of my time as a professional mixed martial artist, but because of my hard work and preparations, all that is left is to give the performance of a lifetime,” he ended.

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