Three new additions have been slated to ONE FC’s return to the Philippines in May.
Heavyweights James McSweeney (12-11) and Chris Lokteff (12-1) collide, Aung La N Sung (14-9, 1 NC) meets Mahmoud Salama (4-4) at 185-lbs and Jeet Toshi (2-1) locks horns with Jujeath Nagaowa (0-0) at Atomweight.
Officials announced the bouts on Wednesday morning.
Headlined by a Bantamweight title bout between Bibiano Fernandes (15-3) and Masakatsu Ueda (18-2-2), ONE FC 15: Rise of Heroes takes place May 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. The main card airs LIVE on Star Sports in Asia, and streams LIVE on an online pay-per-view for US$9.99.
McSweeney is a familiar face among most Mixed Martial Arts faithful having competed in Season 10 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and his subsequent three-fight stint with the UFC. He was most recently seen in action at a Final Fight Championship event in Slovenia in November last year, where he scored an Armbar submission victory over Stefan Traunmuller. McSweeney brings a wealth of experience to an ever-expanding ONE FC Heavyweight division, having picked up bouts against the likes of Ricardo Romero, Travis Browne, Fabio Maldonado and Emanuel Newton among many others. All twelve of his victories have ended via TKO or submission.
Lokteff, a 27-year-old Australian prospect, is coming off an impressive split decision victory over AKA’s Tony Johnson in his promotional debut. He has only been to a decision once in all his pro MMA outings to date.
With the ONE FC Heavyweight division still without a champion, this battle of two ruthless finishers could likely earn the winner a number one contender’s spot.
Sang will be the first mixed martial artist of Myanmar descent to enter the ONE FC cage. The 28-year-old submission ace has competed once in Bellator and holds notable bouts with the likes of UFC vets Uriah Hall and Costas Philippou among others.
Salama, from Egypt, is a veteran of the Egyptian MMA scene who has also competed under the EFC Africa banner. He is 1-4 in his past five outings. A striker by trait, his tussle with Sang will be a classic striker vs. grappler match-up.
India’s Toshi will be looking to get her first victory in ONE FC after a disappointing outing against Singapore’s Nicole Chua in her promotional debut. A seven-time Kickboxing champ in her home country, Toshi’s last appearance came under the Super Fight League flag where she scored a first round submission victory.
Jujeath Nagaowa, a renowned Boxer in the region, is a former WBC Asia Atomweight Champion who will be making the transition from boxing with an impressive resume that features 12 professional victories. She will be making history on the night as the first Filipina mixed martial artist to compete in the promotion.
“ONE FC returns to the iconic city of Manila with the largest sporting event in Manila this year! The headlining bout will pit current ONE FC Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes against the #1 contender, Masakatsu Ueda, in the biggest bantamweight fight Asia has ever witnessed,” stated Victor Cui, CEO of ONE FC. “ONE FC fans will be treated to a night of spectacular world class action featuring the clash of heavyweights James McSweeney and Chris Lokteff, as well as a middleweight battle between Aung La N Sang and Mahmoud Salama. Fans all over the world have been eagerly waiting for the debut of boxing champion Jujeath Nagaowa and she will make her MMA debut against a very tough Jeet Toshi.”
With that, the latest ONE FC 15: Rise of Heroes line-up includes:
- Bibiano Fernandes vs. Masakatsu Ueda (For ONE FC Bantamweight Championship title)
- Rob Lisita vs. Yusuke Kawanago II
- Gianni Subba vs. Eugene Toquero
- James McSweeney vs. Chris Lokteff
- Aung La N Sung vs. Mahmoud Salama
- Jeet Toshi vs. Jujeath Nagaowa
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXdo2PInBUs
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