Kenneth Panlilio | FCF
Reigning ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) bantamweight champion Bibiano “Flash” Fernandes banks on the support of Filipino fans when he stakes his belt against number one contender Masakatsu Ueda of Japan in the main event of the “Rise Of Heroes” card at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday night.
The 31-year old Brazilian, who made rounds in the Dream and K-1 fighting circuits during his nine-year mixed martial arts (MMA) career, and holds a 15-3 won-lost card with one knockout (KO) and five submissions, is reminded of his hometown of Manaus when he steps foot in the country to compete inside the ONE FC cage.
“Manila is like my second home. I love it here, the people, the food, the culture. It reminds me of my hometown in Brazil and the FIlipinos have always made me feel like one of their own. I want to put on a good show for them and impress the fans!,” said Fernandes, who stakes the belt he won against Soo-Chul Kim in the “Total Domination” event in Singapore last October 18, 2013.
Standing in his way is Ueda, a 36-year old fighter with a wrestling background entering the bout with an 18-2-2 record with two KOs and four submissions, won the right to fight Fernandes after downing hometown fighter Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of Team Lakay via unanimous decision during last year’s “Rise To Power” card in Manila.
“Flash” Fernandes previously fought twice in the country, both winning via unanimous decision against Australian Gustavo Falciroli in “Pride Of A Nation” last August 31, 2012, and then winning the interim bantamweight world championship against Koetsu Okazaki last May. He later on removed the interim tag by defeating his Korean foe Soo-Chul Kim, also via unanimous decision.
Meanwhile, five Filipino fighters – including two women – aim to make waves in the top Asian MMA organization to throw their names into the thick of the title races in their respective weight divisions during the night’s preliminary action.
Number one lightweight contender Eduard “Landslide” Folayang carries Team Lakay MMA’s flag when he takes on former champion Kotetsu “No Face” Boku of Japan in the co-main event bout of the evening.
The 29-year old former wushu gold medalist, holding a 13-4 mark with five KOs and two submissions, sets his sights against the man who replaced him in the last minute for the then-vacant lightweight belt back in 2012.
Boku, already 36 years of age and carries a 21-9-2 won-lost-draw mark with eight KOs and two submissions, lost the title via submission last April 5, 2013 to reigning title holder Shinya Aoki of Japan.
Rey “The Punisher” Docyogen, who took a year off to pass his licensure exam in architecture, makes his return to the ONE FC cage against Josh “Chest Presley” Alvarez. The 31-year old flyweight, with a 10-2 record with four KOs and four submissions, is raring to break his two-fight losing streak since joining the ONE FC ranks.
Also, celebrity MMA trainer Eugene Toquero (4-1, 4 KOs) will have his hands full against unbeaten Phuket Top Team bet Gianni Subba (3-0, 2 KOs), while female boxers Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton and Jujeath “Bad Girl” Nagaowa will make their debuts against Aya Saeid Saber (2-3, 1 submission) and Jeet Toshi (2-1, 1 submission), respectively.
