After a slew of Team Lakay fighters recently performed for MMA in a ONE circle, Filipinos Danny Kingad and Jomary Torres take their turn in giving sports entertainment by making a appearance at ONE: BIG BANG, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on Friday, 4 December.
Kingad, the #2-ranked flyweight contender, will locks horns with #3-ranked flyweight contender and former ONE World Champion Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov of Kazakhstan.
Kingad is coming of a win against Wei Xie last January during ONE: Fire & Fury, his seventh win in his last eight fights.
He is currently sporting a 14-2 win-loss record, only losing to reigning champion Adriano Moraes and No. 1 contender Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. He was on a six-bout winning streak before running in to Johnson.
Akhmetov has an even better record of 23-2. He is just 6-4 when fighting under ONE. He won the front end of twin matches against Moraes and Kingad’s teammate Geje Eustaquio before yielding the rematch bouts. He also has a win over Reece McLaren.
Torres is set to see action against rising star Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat. “The Zamboanginian Fighter” is aiming to halt a lengthy losing streak.
Torres is sporting a 4-4 cards but is in a 0-4, with one no contest, after a blazing 4-0 in ONE Championship.
Phogat is 3-0 in her career, two of which came by knockout. Torres, however, would be the toughest test of her young career so far.
Other bouts featured in the event will involve:
Reigning ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia of the Ukraine defending his World Title against Murat “The Butcher” Aygun of Turkey and the Netherlands.
Third-ranked featherweight contender Koyomi Matsushima of Japan takes on undefeated fifth-ranked featherweight contender Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon of the United States.
Armenian-Belgian kickboxer Marat Grigorian and Russia’s Ivan Kondratev make their ONE Super Series debuts in a featherweight kickboxing bout.
Iranian heavyweight Amir Aliakbari makes his highly-anticipated ONE debut against undefeated Russian Islam Abasov.
ONE: BIG BANG is one of two events recemtly announced by ONE Champoionship for this month, ONE: COLLISION COURSE on 18 December being the other, also broadcast live from Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The ONE: COLLISION COURSE full card will not feature any Filipino but still full of exciting bouts for the MMA fan.
Reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion and a legend of Thailand, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, takes on #2-ranked contender and ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament winner Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym, also of Thailand.
Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov of Russia welcomes undefeated lightweight Lowen Tynanes of the United States back to the ONE Circle.
Veteran Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev of Russia squares off with rising star Troy Worthen of the United States.
Former ONE World Title challenger Amir Khan of Singapore returns to face ONE Warrior Series contract winner “Crazy Dog” Dae Sung Park of South Korea.
Kun Khmer striking stylist Chan Rothana of Cambodia locks horns with Xie Wei of China.
Combat Sambo World Champion Raimond Magomedaliev of Russia battles with undefeated Edson “Panico” Marques of Brazil.
Both events continue ONE Championship’s partnership with the Singapore government to pilot the return of live international sports productions.
Limited live audience for the event is allowed and 250 interested fans who wants to see the event live can avail of the special in-person “Superfan” ticket packages priced at $188 SGD each, which come with premium socially distanced seating and exclusive ONE merchandise worth over $80 SGD
Patrons are required to undergo the Antigen Rapid Test (ART) on event day and produce a valid negative ART certificate to qualify for admission. This exclusive limited offering can be purchased now until tickets sell out at Ticketmaster.sg
ONE: BIG BANG will be aired on Philippine television by One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time on December 4. One Sports will air the event on a same-day delay at 9 p.m. Additionally, TV5 will air the event on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT.
By Armando M. Bolislis