Two new contests have been slated for ONE FC’s return to Malaysia this coming March.
Former ONE FC Lightweight title-holder Kotetsu Boku (20-9-2) will take on Arnaud Lepont (9-3) in a 155-lbs match-up, while Harris Sarmiento (36-25) will meet Herbert Burns (2-0) at Featherweight.
Officials announced the bouts on Friday afternoon.
Kotetsu Boku-Arnaud Lepont, Harris Sarmiento-Herbert Burns booked for ONE FC 14: War of Nations
Headlined by a Welterweight match-up pitting former UFC vet Brock Larson (37-7) against knockout artist Nobutatsu Suzuki (10-1-2), ONE FC 14: War of Nations takes place March 14 at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The night’s main card airs LIVE on Star Sports in Asia, while an online stream for a price of USD $9.99 will be catered to fight fans worldwide at http://www.onefc.livesport.tv/.
Boku was crowned the inaugural Lightweight champ of the promotion in October of 2012, when he garnered a TKO victory over Zorobabel Moreira. Since then, back-to-back losses to Shinya Aoki and Vuyisile Colossa have seen the Japanese fighter fall behind in the pecking order. Even so, with vicious knockout power in his fists, there’s absolutely no doubting the 36-year-old’s ability in presenting one-punch stoppages to the masses.
Lepont, 33, compiled a neat six fight win streak before running into Evolve MMA staples Shinya Aoki and Eddie Ng at ONE FC 6 and ONE FC 8 respectively. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt who loves to trade strikes more than anything else, the Frenchman has traveled extensively across the world to train and compete, and will have to be at his best to top Boku on fight night.
With both fighters preferring to strike, this is likely to be an explosive affair.
Burns, as with most of his compatriots at Singapore-based Evolve MMA, is a No Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champ. The Brazilian took on Edward Kelly in his promotional debut at ONE FC 13: Moment of Truth, serving as a last minute replacement for Major Overall. Burns made quick work of his opponent, securing a submission victory just 45 seconds into the first frame.
The 25-year-old will face an uphill battle, however, when he locks horns with former PXC champ, Harris Sarmiento (pictured). Sarmiento, 30, is a true veteran in the regional circles having fought over 60 times in his pro MMA career to date. A former Strikeforce competitor, Sarmiento racked up five victories under the PXC banner, and only dropped lossess to top contenders Joe Taimanglo and Mark Striegl. The Hawaiian couldn’t come to a contractual agreement with PXC and signed with ONE FC instead, where his extensive experience in the combat scene could propel the 30-year-old to even greater heights. Sarmiento will be looking to keep the win streak going at 808 Top Team, with teammates Russell Doane and Louis Smolka grabbing victories at UFC Fight Night 34 and UFC Fight Night 35 respectively, earlier this month.
Keep it locked to MMASucka for the latest updates in Asian MMA.
As it stands, here’s the updated ONE FC 14: War of Nations line-up:
- – Nobutatsu Suzuki vs. Brock Larson (For inaugural ONE FC Welterweight Championship title)
- – Kevin Belingon vs. Dae Hwan Kim
- – Yasuhiro Urushitani vs. Adriano Moraes
- – Shinichi Kojima vs. Andrew Leone
- – *Eddie Ng vs. Kamal Shalorus
- – Kotetsu Boku vs. Arnaud Lepont
- – Harris Sarmiento vs. Herbert Burns
- – Peter Davis vs. TBA
- – Ann Osman vs. Sherilyn Lim II
*Not officially announced
Pictures credit: Don’t Blink Magazine, ONE Fighting Championship
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