Five Filipinos participated in the sensational ONE: Century martial arts event held in Tokyo over the weekend. Only one went home victorious.
Where Filipino athletes reigned supreme in other sports—Carlos Edriel Yulo in world gymnastics and Nesthy Petecio in Aiba Women’s Boxing—four of the five martial artists tapped out, was decisioned, and TKOd at the mammoth event, so mammoth that it was divided into a Part I and a Part 2. The event began in the morning of October 13 and ended at midnight that day—plus or minus 14 hours.
Lakay heroes Honorio Banario, Kevin Belingon and Danny Kingad all bowed to their opponents. Banario and Belingon tapped out. Kingad, the shining hope of the Cordilleras fought a great and valiant fight against the polished and wily Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson but was outpointed in the judges’ cards.
The previously undefeated Brandon “The Truth” Vera faced the biggest challenge he has ever had in the past four years in Myanmar’s Burmese Python, Aung La N Sang. The big boy of Pinoy MMA suffered a TKO in the ring as Aung La took him down and pummeled him with blows. Vera still is a champion, however, since he still keeps his heavyweight crown. The Pinoy hero went down to light heavyweight category to fight Aung La who proved he ruled in that category.
The Burmese Python’s performance against ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera has been described as incredible. Aung La set the tempo in the first round, peppering Vera with leg kicks in an attempt to slow down the taller man. Against the fence, Vera would connect on a series of punches and elbows, which Aung La wore well.
The second frame opened up with more action on the inside, as both men connected on huge combinations from close range. Vera and Aung La took each other’s best shots. A furious exchange of thunderous strikes against the fence ensued. Aung La landed a sharp spinning back elbow to rock Vera, sending the Filipino-American to the canvas. Aung La put on the finishing touches with ground-and-pound while Vera covered up.
As for Danny “The King” Kingad, his opponent DJ did not have an easy time in their ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship Final. The American former UFC fighter withstood a strong effort from the Filipino warrior to earn the unanimous decision. In the first round, Johnson was relentless with his takedowns, showcasing his chain wrestling skills to constantly bring Kingad to the mat. Kingad tried his best to defend against Johnson’s advances, but Johnson slowly started to dominate.
In the second, Johnson continued with his amazing work from top, attacking with various submissions from different control positions. In the third round, Johnson effortlessly outmuscled Kingad to cruise to the final bell.
For Lakay
former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario, the end came faster.
Playing against hometown legend Shinya Aoki, Banario found himself in No Man’s
Land early on. Aoki won just a little short of a minute by taking Banario
straight down. Banario tried his best to keep distance, but Aoki closed the gap
almost immediately and fished for the bodylock takedown. Once they hit the mat,
Aoki saw the opening and instantly latched onto a D’Arce choke to seal the deal
and force the tap in just 54 seconds.
Even the fierce former titleholder Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon had to face
some facts with his constant adversary Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil
in the Bantamweight category. After a brief exchange on the feet, Fernandes
immediately shot in for a successful takedown, landing in side control. The
Brazilian controlled Belingon with his top game for the majority of the first
round. Belingon came out firing in the second round, but Fernandes was
relentless in his pursuit of the takedown. When Belingon left an opening,
Fernandes swiftly capitalized to take his back. Moments later, Fernandes sunk
in a deep rear naked choke to force the tap.
If there was one ray of sunshine for the Pinoy crusade in ONE: Century, it was ONE Warrior Series contract winner Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang of the Philippines who put on an impressive showing in his ONE Championship main roster debut. Adiwang scored a first round technical knockout victory over former Pancrase champion Senzo Ikeda of Japan. Known for his striking, Adiwang showed off a different facet of his game as he scored an early takedown and immediately executed a scarf-hold armlock. The bout was stopped just moments later after Ikeda suffered an injury to his arm, giving the stoppage win to Adiwang.
The Filipino cause may have suffered an ego bruise in Japan this October, but the Filipino fighters aren’t finished, yet. Lakay coach, trainer and leader Mark Sangiao said they have walked down this path before. You win some, you lose some, and they will definitely work on what needs to be worked on. They will come back stronger.
It’s not all negatives, Lakay warrior Kingad said. Despite the loss to Johnson, regarded as one of the best fighters ever, Kingad held his own, taking down the Mighty Mite and containing him in a corner. “I didn’t expect that I could showcase those grappling skills and take down DJ, also corner him,” said the fast-rising Kingad, whose brilliance in past bouts placed him in an inevitable collision course against Johnson in the Flyweight World Grand Prix Championship Final.
After ONE: Century, Pinoy fighters will see action again in ONE: Masters of Fate this November. To watch out for is the toe-to-toe between another sensational Lakay martial artist Joshua Pacio and Rene Catalan of the Catalan System. It will be a clash not just of extraordinary warriors but of the Lakay versus the Catalan systems.
Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio takes on Toni “Dynamite” Tauru of Finland, while the erstwhile local hero Eduard “Landslide Folayang” fights again versus Amarsanaa “Speak” Tsogookhuu of Mongolia.
The fight on the mat is just heating up.