ONE Middleweight World Title Bout Tops ONE's Yangon Return

ONEchampionship.com

The world’s finest best artists are preparing to put on another electric show in Yangon, Myanmar.

On Friday, 29 June, the promotion will return to the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium for its upcoming spectacle, ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR.

The bill is topped by a national icon defending one of his World Titles for the very first time, and is supported by several action-packed bouts featuring emerging World Title contenders, rising kickboxing stars, and Muay Thai legends.

Aung La N Sang’s First World Title Defense

In the main event of the night, two-division ONE World Champion, Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang(22-10, 1 NC), will defend the ONE Middleweight World Championship for the first time since capturing it from Vitaly Bigdash last June.

The Myanmar sports icon is motivated to follow his title-winning victory, which was deemed “Bout Of The Year 2017,” with an exciting performance against top-ranked Japanese contender Ken Hasegawa(16-2-1).

Hasegawa, a judo specialist, is a DEEP Megaton Champion well known for his ability to finish in all areas, with six knockouts and four submission wins to his credit.

He could be the toughest challenge Aung La N Sang has ever faced, but it will be difficult to dethrone “The Burmese Python” at home. After all, tAhe Myanmar hero has never lost at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium.

Fierce Featherweights Clash

The ONE Featherweight World Title picture may become clearer, as four of the division’s most talented competitors are scheduled for action.

Three months after his sensational victory over Ahmed Mujtaba, Chinese national wrestling silver medalist “Cannon” Ma Jia Wen is ready for his next challenge. The grappler will face multi-time Lumpinee Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Sagetdao “Deadly Star” Petpayathai, who remains undefeated in the cage.

Petpayathai is coming off a stellar rookie year in mixed martial arts competition, having won all three of his matches by knockout in the first round. Now, the “Breakthrough Star Of 2017” will face his stiffest test yet against a takedown specialist.

In addition to that, Brazil’s Rafael “Indio” Nunes (11-1) will clash with Japan’s Tetsuya “MMA Fantasista” Yamada (25-6-2).

Following a three and a half year hiatus, the Brazilian made a thunderous return in January by submitting Eric “The Natural” Kelly. He will attempt to capitalize on his recent success, but that will be much easier said than done.

Like Nunes, Yamada is driven to build upon his momentum. After falling to Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev in March, the Japanese warrior rebounded two months later, also by submitting Kelly.

Bantamweight Stars Welcome Newcomers To ONE

After two decisive victories over former world title challengers, Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Leandro “Brodinho” Issa (15-6) will try to move closer to a ONE Bantamweight World Title shot.

In order to do that, he must first defeat promotional debutant Roman “Boom” Alvarez (8-1).

The Guam resident may be a newcomer to the organization, but he is an immensely talented, well-rounded competitor who holds the Trench Warz Featherweight Championship. The young lion will undoubtedly provide Issa with a spirited challenge.

Also, “Rock Man” Chen Lei (7-0) plans to showcase the skills that have made him one of China’s most promising bantamweight athletes.

In a contest of undefeated athletes, he is slated to welcome fellow unbeaten warrior Ahmad Qais Jasoor(4-0) to the global stage for martial arts.

Jasoor, nicknamed “Lycanthrope,” is the first Afghan mixed martial artist to compete in ONE. The Kabul native is a skilled boxer and sambo practitioner, and also the HFC Bantamweight Champion. Now, he is out for a World Title, and that mission starts with an assignment against “Rock Man.”

A Thrilling Strawweight Battle

Two of the most exciting athletes in the strawweight division are expected to set off fireworks.

Almost three months on from his stunning knockout victory over Thai legend and former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado is looking to have a repeat performance against Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai.

Kongsrichai is arguably the most explosive strawweight on the roster. Not only is he a 13-time Thai wrestling champion, he also has an extensive Muay Thai background, and has complimented his wrestling prowess with an effective submission game.

ONE Super Series Comes To Myanmar

Finally, ONE Super Series will make its Yangon premiere at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium with a pair of engaging Muay Thai bouts.

Two-time Muay Thai World Champion Tukkatatong Petpayathai (243-38-2) is the latest Evolve MMAaddition to the strikers’ league. He will meet fellow two-time Muay Thai World Champion Panicos Yusuf(36-6) – who previously appeared on season one of Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series – in a bantamweight showdown.

Also, four-time World Caged Muay Thai Champion Elliot “The Dragon” Compton (45-11) will look to get back into the win column after falling to Lion Fight Super Middleweight World Champion Cosmo Alexandre in April. He draws AMCO Cruiserweight Champion Matthew “Sobek” Semper (56-22-1) in Myanmar.