ONE Championship: ‘The Situ-Asian’ KOs Folayang to become first two-division champion

Martin Nguyen (ONE Championship photo)
Martin Nguyen (ONE Championship photo)

ONE Championship (ONE), had another memorable and historic evening in Manila as the capacity crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena witnessed an amazing display of heart-pounding martial arts action.

In the main event of ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD, Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen wrote his name in history books as the first man to hold two world titles simultaneously in ONE Championship by knocking out Eduard “Landslide” Folayang.

After plastering each other with hard strikes in the first round, both men picked up where they left off in the second stanza, with Folayang and Nguyen trading heavy blows at the center of the cage.

When Folayang launched his patented spinning backfist, Nguyen saw an opportunity to turn the lights off against his Filipino foe by uncorking his explosive signature right hand.

Eduard Folayang vs Martin Nguyen (ONE Championship photo)
Eduard Folayang vs Martin Nguyen (ONE Championship photo)

With his remarkable conquest of Folayang, Nguyen now has both the ONE Featherweight World Championship and ONE Lightweight World Championship titles in his possession.

“This is a special place for me. Last year, I came in and won Fight of the Night, right now it’s possibly the Knockout of the Night. I think coming into the fight my main objective was a TKO or a submission. Eduard, I still love you like a brother, I hope you’re fine and I hope you come back stronger. I’m still your number one fan,” said the newly-minted ONE Lightweight World Champion.

In the co-main event of the evening, Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes remained the undisputed king of ONE Championship’s flyweight bracket, denying Danny Kingad’s bid to become a world champion by submitting the Filipino talent with a rear-naked choke in the first round.

Adriano Moraes vs Danny Kingad (ONE Championship photo)
Adriano Moraes vs Danny Kingad (ONE Championship photo)

“This night was amazing for me. It was a tough fight against Danny Kingad. He has a big future ahead of him, but now it’s my time. This is my house, this is my belt, and this is my class,” said Moraes after the match.

Kevin Belingon vs Kevin Chung (ONE Championship photo)
Kevin Belingon vs Kevin Chung (ONE Championship photo)

Filipino knockout artist Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon captured another sensational victory in front of a jubilant hometown crowd by routing South Korean-American dynamo Kevin “Oldboy” Chung, solidifying his position as a top contender in the stacked bantamweight division. Belingon effortlessly dictated the pace in the stand-up, where his opponent was at a stylistic disadvantage.

Alex Silva vs Hayato Suzuki (ONE Championship photo)
Alex Silva vs Hayato Suzuki (ONE Championship photo)

Previously unbeaten Japanese prospect Hayato Suzuki bowed down for the very first time in his professional career as he yielded to Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion black belt Alex “Little Rock” Silva.

Anatpong Bunrad vs Reece Mclaren (ONE Championship photo)
Anatpong Bunrad vs Reece Mclaren (ONE Championship photo)

Former world title contender Reece “Lighting” McLaren found a new home at flyweight as he pulled off a successful submission victory by defeating flyweight mainstay Anatpong Bunrad. Debuting effortlessly in his new weight class, McLaren showcased his fluid grappling skills and solid striking.

Zhao Zhi Kang vs Thai Rithy (ONE Championship photo)
Zhao Zhi Kang vs Thai Rithy (ONE Championship photo)

Chinese martial arts superstar “The Ghost” Zhao Zhi Kang made an astounding statement in his first assignment as a ONE Championship competitor, submitting Cambodian standout Thai Rithy in the first round. With a game plan to take matters to the ground, Zhao got the job done by fastening a rear-naked choke to force the tap from Rithy.

Gina Iniong vs Priscilla Hertati Lumbangaol (ONE Championship photo)
Gina Iniong vs Priscilla Hertati Lumbangaol (ONE Championship photo)

Team Lakay’s highly-touted atomweight prospect Gina “The Conviction” Iniong extended her winning streak inside the ONE Championship cage with an outstanding second-round finish of Indonesia’s Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol.

Joshua Pacio vs Roy Doliguez (ONE Championship photo)
Joshua Pacio vs Roy Doliguez (ONE Championship photo)

In a battle of former world title challengers, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio emerged victorious against veteran martial artist Roy “The Dominator” Doliguez by notching a highlight-reel knockout in the second round. The young Team Lakay standout exhibited stellar form from the get-go, wearing down his fellow Filipino opponent with impeccable grappling and heavy high kicks.

Xie Chao vs Kelvin Ong (ONE Championship photo)
Xie Chao vs Kelvin Ong (ONE Championship photo)

After an impressive promotional debut in Shanghai, China last September, Xie Chao made his trip to Manila a memorable one by picking up his second-straight win in ONE Championship at the expense of Malaysia’s Kelvin Ong. Xie easily staggered Ong with a hard knee, giving him the leverage to convert a takedown.

Peng Xue Wen vs Phat Soda (ONE Championship photo)
Peng Xue Wen vs Phat Soda (ONE Championship photo)

A three-round strawweight encounter set a promising tone for the entire evening of ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD as Peng Xue Wen collided with Phat Soda in the curtain-raiser for the event. Peng, a National Youth Greco Wrestling Champion, left a lasting impression in his maiden trip to the ONE Championship cage by scoring a knockout victory over Soda with a high-impact slam in the first round.

Official Results for ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD

  • ONE Lightweight World Championship bout: Martin Nguyen defeats Eduard Folayang by Knockout (KO) at 2:20 minutes of round 2
  • ONE Flyweight World Championship bout: Adriano Moraes defeats Danny Kingad by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:45 minutes of round 1
  • Bantamweight bout: Kevin Belingon defeats Kevin Chung by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
  • Strawweight bout: Alex Silva defeats Hayato Suzuki by Submission (Armbar) at 1:22 minutes of round 1
  • Flyweight bout: Reece McLaren defeats Anatpong Bunrad by Submission (D’arce Choke) at 4:52 minutes of round 1
  • Featherweight bout: Zhao Zhi Kang defeats Thai Rithy by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:31 minutes of round 1
  • Women’s atomweight bout: Gina Iniong defeats Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol by TKO (Strikes) at 2:12 minutes of round 2
  • Strawweight bout: Joshua Pacio defeats Roy Doliguez by Knockout (KO) at 0:38 minutes of round 2
  • Featherweight bout: Xie Chao defeats Kelvin Ong by TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage) at 1:48 minutes of round 1
  • Strawweight bout: Peng Xue Wen defeats Phat Soda by Knockout (KO) at 2:15 minutes of round 1