ONE Championship marks it return to Shanghai, China when it holds ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST on 15 June, Saturday at the Baoshan Arena.
The card will be composed of 14 matches, bannered by the Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship bout between two-sport champion Stamp Fairtex and Challenger Alma Juniku.
But it’s not only the main event which makes this card exciting for Filipino fans and here are three reasons why local fans should tune-in on Saturday night.
Angelie Sabanal looks to bounce back
Angelie “D Explorer” Sabanal remains to be one of the most promising Filipina warriors in the ONE Championship roster.
She started her career in The Home Of Martial Arts with a bang, beating Rika Ishige at ONE: IRON WILL before dropping a unanimous decision loss to Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol at ONE: WARRIORS DREAM.
Now the Cagayan de Oro native will get a chance to jumpstart her career once more when she takes on the debuting Itsuki Hirata.
A win here for Sabanal would certainly bring her back to the higher-echelon of the division, something that she has vowed to climb moving forward
Trestle Tan, Eric Kelly look to end skid
It has been a struggle for both Eric Kelly and Trestle Tan – two local warriors who have been on a slump.
Now they’ll have a chance to end their respective skids.
Kelly will take on Niu Kang Kang of China as he hopes to bring back his glory days, the days where he instilled fear among his opponents the moment he entered the ring while Tan takes on “The Big Heart” Yoon Chang Min.
Though both warriors have been struggling, there’s no denying their willingness to end their struggles and put up a show for the fans once more.
‘Sexyama’ makes ONE debut
Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama has long been a staple in the Asian martial arts scene, as he’s made a name for himself in Japan and Korea before taking his talents West for new challenges.
Now the Asian Games gold medalist for Judo returns home as he finally makes his much awaited ONE Championship debut against Malaysian star Agilan “The Alligator” Thani.
Akiyama is beloved for his exciting, all-out style, which he compliments with his top level Judo skills.
Thani will certainly be a dangerous opponent heading into this contest as he has dropped his previous two bouts entering this match, making an interesting match-up between the two warriors.
