ONE Championship: ‘The Truth’ challenges ‘The Burmese Python’ for Light Heavyweight title

By Kevin Sox

Moments after Aung La N Sang’s successful defense of his ONE Middleweight Title in the pretigious ONE: A New Era fight card in Tokyo, Japan last Sunday, reigning ONE Heavyweight champion Brandon Vera stepped into the cage to offer a challenge to the pride of Myanmar.

“I would like to ask if we are both healthy, both in shape, and both agree, could you and I meet here in Japan in October to challenge you for the light heavyweight belt, sir?” Vera directed to Aung La N Sang inside the cage.

Aung La N Sang was coming off a thunderous second round knock out win over challenger Ken Hasegawa when Vera made his surprise offer.

Brandon Vera (ONE Championship photo)
Brandon Vera (ONE Championship photo)

“I’ve always been a fan of Brandon Vera and it will be an honor for me to fight Brandon Vera on October,” Aung La N Sang replied, to which ONE Championship Chairman Chatri Sityodtong responded “Let’s get it on!” much to the delight of the live audience in Tokyo.

Aung La N Sang (24-10, 1 NC), nicknamed the “Burmese Python,” is the concurrent middleweight and light heavyweight division title holders. He claimed the light heavyweight belt in February if 2018 after decisioning Vitaly Bigdash in their rematch.

Vera (16-7, 1 NC) himself has been unparalleled as ONE heavyweight champion since his foray into the promotion. The 41-year-old Filipino-American has knocked out all four of his opponents in the first round, and now he is seeking another milestone across his professional MMA career.

Should an Aung La N Sang-Vera showdown become a reality, Vera will have to go down a weight class to challenge for a second title he wishes to hold simultaneously with his heavyweight crown.

Vera last fought in November 2018 where he knocked out Mauro Cerilli in front of a hometown crowd in Manila.