After its pit-stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for ONE FC 12: Warrior Spirit, ONE Fighting Championship will make its way to the Philippines for its thirteenth installment.
ONE FC 13: Moment of Truth takes place December 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Following free prelims on YouTube, fans can catch all the main card action on either Star Sports or http://www.onefc.livesport.tv/ for a price of USD $9.99.
While the headliner is set to feature a huge rematch for the organization’s Featherweight title, the rest of the fight card, as you’d expect, is set to be filled with native Filipino fighters. Needless to say, this will be an opportunity for the country’s combatants to shine.
One of them is none other than local hero Eduard Folayang (12-4), who’s set to face Dutchman Vincent Latoel (14-13-2) on the night’s proceedings.
Folayang-Latoel, plus two additions slated for ONE FC 13: Moment of Truth
Officials confirmed the match-ups with Fight Sport Asia on Wednesday afternoon.
Folayang (pictured), a URCC Welterweight champ, is known for his flamboyant style of fighting with his Wushu craft and exquisite array of striking techniques. The Filipino MMA hero is on a two-fight losing skid with defeats to rising prospect Lowen Tynanes and UFC vet Kamal Shalorus, but is still considered as one of the best regional Mixed Martial Artists today. Training out Team Lakay, the Philippines’ top MMA academy, Folayang, even at 28, is still rapidly improving his all-round MMA game.
A decade plus vet, Latoel, meanwhile, notched a first round Guillotine choke submission win over Melvin Manhoef protege, Willy Ni, in his ONE FC debut back in September, snapping a two-fight losing run. The 34-year-old Golden Glory member struggled at the start of his pro MMA career, but has since garnered mixed success over the course of the years. He will looking to use his experience to get the better of Folayang come fight night.
Officials also announced the return of Brazilian Jitsu-Jitsu maestro Leandro Issa (11-3), who’s set to compete in a Bantamweight tilt with Koetsu Okazaki (8-3-1), a Shooto vet coming off a Unanimous Decision defeat against Bibiano Fernandes at ONE FC 9: Rise to Power. The other addition to the line-up sees undefeated South Korean prospect Dae Hwan Kim (8-0-1) locking horns with Australia-based, Vietnamese fighter, Thanh Vu (3-2) at 135-lbs as well.
Along with those additions, fans can also look forward to other stellar match-ups, notably Caros Fodor vs. Vuyisile Colossa at Lightweight, Kevin Belingon vs. David Aranda Santacana at 135-lbs and Geje Eustaquio vs. Eugene Toquero at Flyweight.
As it stands, here’s the updated line-up heading into ONE FC’s year-end event:
- Koji Oishi vs. Honorio Banario II (For ONE FC Featherweight Championship title)
- Caros Fodor vs. Vuyisile Colossa
- Eduard Folayang vs. Vincent Latoel
- Leandro Issa vs. Koetsu Okazaki
- Dae Hwan Kim vs. Thanh Vu
- Kevin Belingon vs. David Aranda Santacana
- Geje Eustaquio vs. Eugene Toquero
- Paul Cheng vs. Alain Ngalani
- Jujeath Nagaowa vs. TBA
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