Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series (OWS) continues to showcase Asia’s best up-and-coming martial arts talent by traveling the continent to unearth its hidden gems.
When ONE Warrior Series 3 hits Singapore on Thursday, 11 October, these prospects will put everything on the line as they chase a coveted ONE Championship contract.
Their burning desire to reach the marquee arena events in the world’s largest martial arts organization will be clear to see as they battle with heart, pride, and skill.
Only the elite will have their dreams realized, but every athlete is committed to putting on an exciting performance. Even in defeat, ONE Championship Vice President Franklin can still hand out a Warrior Bonuse to any participant.
Here are four reasons why you must watch this thrilling event.
#1 A Huge 18-Bout Card
There are 18 bouts on the bill in Singapore. That means 18 opportunities to observe the unique skill set that each martial artist brings, and how that manifests in the stylistic match-up with their opponent.
A total of 36 athletes will represent their disciplines including sanda, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and wrestling – and nations like Japan, Korea, Nepal, America, and Mongolia.
With so much action in store, fans can expect to see a complete showcase of mixed martial arts. There will be striking and submissions, as well as explosive takedowns and clinch exchanges. ONE Warrior Series 3 will have it all.
#2 OWS Veterans Top The Bill
Eto Kimihiro (14-4-2) and JD Fairtex Hardwick (4-1) were both featured in the first two OWS live events, with Kimihiro posting a 1-1 record and Hardwick a perfect 2-0.
The Japanese competitor rebounded from defeat at the inaugural event in March by putting on one of the most dominant performances at the following show in July, submitting Yusaku Inoue via arm-triangle choke in the second round.
“Deadshot,” an American who represents the world-famous Fairtex Gym in Thailand, has back-to-back submissions victories to his credit. Most recently, he defeated previously unbeaten Enkhtaivan Davaabayar via first-round armbar in July.
Each man has proven their grappling acumen, and now they will clash to see whose ground game is superior. A convincing win would surely make them leading candidates for a contract.
#3 Six Professional Debuts
There will be six prospects making their professional debuts in mixed martial arts on 11 October, but they have already shown their prowess in front of Franklin and his team during the tryouts.
Tiger Muay Thai‘s Claudia Diaz (0-0) and Uyen Ha (0-0) will meet Jenelyn Olsim (2-1) and Edilah Johany(1-1), respectively, but the duo has had success in ONE superstar Shannon Wiratchai‘s amateur OneShin Cup.
Xie Xiaoxiang (0-0) meets the formidable Emmanuel “The Biafran Warrior” Onyedikachi (2-0) in a tough debut outing. The Kun Khmer stylist from Nigeria used thudding leg kicks to dispatch Sandeep Kumar Dahiya at ONE Warrior Series 2, but the Chinese athlete wants to prove he can beat the undefeated welterweight.
Asuka Tsubaki (0-0) is another debutant who is stepping up to the plate to meet a more experienced foe in Anvar Amirli (7-0).
Finally, Mark Sumalag (0-0) meets Luo Zhuo Jiang Cuo (2-1), and Krishna Lal Tamang (0-0) takes onPunnya Sai (1-0).
#4 A Potential Bout Of The Night
Mark “Tyson” Fairtex Abelardo (16-5) had a sensational bout with Ali Motamed at ONE Warrior Series 2, ultimately getting the unanimous decision nod in a contest that earned both bantamweights a Warrior Bonus.
On the same evening, Zoltsetseg Shinechagtga (7-1-1) showcased his explosive knockout power to finish Akuri Ronda in just 58 seconds. He used his unorthodox attacks to find angles and KO his foe with a left hook.
These victories put them on a collision course at ONE Warrior Series 3. Both men are heavy punchers and like to engage in toe-to-toe action.
With neither man willing to take a backward step, it has all the makings of a classic encounter.
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