4 Major Reasons To Watch ONE: HEART OF THE LION

This Friday, 9 November, ONE Championship will return to the Singapore Indoor Stadium with an action-packed event, which will be topped by an explosive World Champion versus World Champion title unification rematch.

Many of the promotion’s biggest stars are set to be featured on ONE: HEART OF THE LION, and there are also some new arrivals who are keen to make a great first impression.

The 14-bout spectacle may be topped by a pair of reigning ONE World Champions, but it will be supported by the finest athletes from mixed martial arts, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and sanda.

Here are four important reasons why you cannot miss ONE: HEART OF THE LION.

#1 An Epic World Title Rematch

Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes (22-3) is, by a long way, the most dominant titleholder in ONE Championship history. The Brazilian has won nine World Title contests, having defended his ONE Bantamweight World Championship eight times.

One of those victories came over his next opponent, ONE Interim Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon (19-5). Fernandes finished the Filipino in the first round of their initial meeting in January 2016, squashing the Team Lakay veteran’s dreams of becoming World Champion.

However, since then, Belingon has become a different animal. He has improved his defensive wrestling and his grappling exponentially, all while remaining just as successful with his powerful striking.

By winning six straight bouts, three via knockout, “The Silencer” punched his ticket to a rematch with the bantamweight king.

However, beating “The Flash” will not be easy. He has not been defeated in 14 bouts and eight years, so it’s a tall order for anybody to potentially topple the champion.

#2 An Explosive Co-Main Event

With the unfortunate withdrawal of his sister from the main event, Evolve’s Christian “The Warrior” Lee(9-3) has stepped up to the plate to face Japan’s Kazuki Tokudome (18-9-1) in a 73-kilogram catch weight contest.

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee (9-0) was scheduled to challenge “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan (16-1) for the Chinese superstar’s ONE Women’s Strawweight World Title, but a serious back injury meant she was not medically cleared for the contest.

Lee versus Tokudome is guaranteed to be an exciting replacement, with the all-action athletes boasting a combined 21 victories inside the distance.

All nine of “The Warrior’s” wins have been finishes, and his Japanese foe boasts nine knockouts and three submissions, so the chances of a spectacular ending to this co-main event tilt are high.

#3 The Return Of Petrosyan

There are not many more recognizable names in the striking world than Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan(97-2-2, 1 NC), and rightfully so, considering the Armenian-Italian’s immense repertoire and list of achievements.

He made a successful debut in April by defeating a top-class adversary in Jo Nattawut, and now he returns against accomplished Muay Thai stylist Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy (36-17).

Sorgraw made a successful debut in June, as the Lumpinee Stadium and WMC World Champion beat Samy “AK47” Sana via decision in their three-round kickboxing affair.

He has intentions to add to his collection of gold with a ONE World Championship, and overcoming “The Doctor” would put him at the front of the queue for a title opportunity.

Both Petrosyan and Sorgraw are offensive and defensive virtuosos, with striking brains that operate levels above most of their rivals. When the two meet, fans are in for a technical, yet surely scintillating battle.

#4 A Highly Anticipated Debut

Muangthai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym (195-40-4) brings the nickname “Elbow Zombie” with him into the cage, thanks to his penchant for defeating foes with lethal elbow strikes, the likes of which have not been seen before.

His ferocious style will be a hit with the new legion of fans he is set to acquire in The Home Of Martial Arts, as well as those who have followed him from his days on the stadium circuit in Thailand, where he claimed the Lumpinee Stadium and Channel 7 Stadium Titles.

Welcoming him to ONE is Panicos Yusuf (37-6), who was impressive in defeating Han Zi Hao in his promotional debut in July. The England-based Cypriot showcased his powerful kicks en route to a unanimous decision win.

Yusuf gives up experience, but he knows a win over Muangthai would be a massive coup for his career, so expect him to battle hard to try and overcome the odds against the highly acclaimed “Elbow Zombie.”