Asian MMA

ONE FC signs Fransino Tirta, Amir Khan and former Legend FC champ Yusuke Kawanago

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ONE Fighting Championship has bolstered its ranks with the signing of a trio of fighters.

Indonesia’s Fransino Tirta (15-0-1), Singapore’s Amir Khan (0-1) and Japan’s Yusuke Kawanago (13-3-2) are the latest additions to the ONE FC fight roster.

ONE FC announced the Tirta and Kawanago signings online.

ONE FC signs Fransino Tirta, Amir Khan and former Legend FC champ Yusuke Kawanago

Khan, meanwhile, hasn’t been officially unveiled as a ONE FC fighter yet, but has signed a deal with the Singapore-based promotion according to local Mixed Martial Arts syndicate, The Fight Scene.

All three fighters are believed to have signed exclusive contracts with the organization.

Bantamweight Tirta, 32, is Indonesia’s most successful MMA product. One of only two Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts in the country, Tirta brings an unbeaten resume to the ONE FC banner, with twelve of his fifteen victories ending via TKO or submission. He is also a multiple-division winner in grappling, and has beaten world-class competition in Sanshou, boxing and combat sambo. Should he make his promotional debut in 2014, this will be the 32-year-old’s first taste of pro MMA action in three years.

“I’m glad that we have come to an agreement, and I can focus on training for my next fight,” Tirta said. “I cannot wait to fight under the ONE FC banner and show the true quality of Indonesian MMA to the world!”

Former Legend FC champ Yusuke Kawanago is now a ONE FC fighter.

Kawanago needs no introductions, whatsoever. The former Legend FC 145-lbs champ became a free agent following Legend Fighting Championship’s fold in 2013, prompting multiple regional outfits to be on the lookout for the 31-year-old. ‘Bancho’ last featured at PANCRASE 256 earlier this month, in a contest that drew honors even against Hiroyuki Oshiro. He holds notable bouts with Rob Lisita, Ji Xian, Mark Striegl and Takumi Nakayama among others.

Khan is 19-years-old, and will be just the ninth fighter to represent Singapore on the ONE FC platform. A Muay Thai specialist by trait, he has a 4-0 Amateur MMA record. Known as the ‘Asian Cowboy’, Khan will be expected to make his promotional debut when ONE FC hits Singapore’s shores once again later this year.

No specific debut dates have been announced for the fighters, but they likely will be making their first promotional appearances in 2014.

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Follow Thinesh on Twitter (@ThineshJohnMMA), and keep up with the latest MMA news from MMASucka via Twitter (@MMASucka) and Facebook

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20, Asian MMA enthusiast in Singapore.

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