Japanese mixed martial artists, led by Koyomi Matsushima, hope to make an impression on Friday as they headline the staging of ONE: Dawn of Heroes at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Matsushima challenges ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin Nguyen with hopes of captivating the hearts of Filipino fans in the star-studded fightcard.
Also seeing action are Tatsumitsu Wada, who will be up against American 12-time flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson in the World Grand Prix semifinal, Yuya Wakamatsu, who faces local bet Geje Eustaquio in the reserve bout, Daichi Takenaka, who takes on Leandro Issa in the bantamweight prelim, Yushin Okami, who battles American James Nakashima in the welterweight prelim, and Ayaka Miura, who tests the mettle of Brazilian Samara Santos in the straweight prelim.
Ticket sales are already at all-time high according to ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong and they hope they could also break the record-high TV ratings after attracting 41.9 million viewers in their event in Tokyo, Japan last March.
“There’s gonna be fireworks,” said Sityodtong in Tuesday’s press conference at City of Dreams. “This is, without a doubt, the greatest event in Philippine martial arts history. You do not want to miss Friday night.”
Matsushima vows to put on a good show against Nguyen following a unanimous decision victory over Kwon Won II in the ONE Championship: Legendary Quest last June.
Nguyen also respects Matsushima, saying he is honored to be fighting against “a warrior who puts it all on the line as much as I do.”
Other bouts include Eduard Folayang versus United States’ Eddie Alvarez, Thailand’s Rodlek PK. Saenchaimuaythaigym against Scotland’s Chris Shaw, Italy’s Mauro Cerilli against India’s Arjan Bhullar, Edward Kelly over China’s Xie Bin, Danny Kingad against Australia’s Reece Mclaren, Honorio Banario over Korea’s Dae Sung Park, Thailand’s Pongsiri Mitsatit against China’s Miao Li Tao, and Indonesia’s Sunoto against Malaysia’s Muhammad Aiman. (KRISTEL SATUMBAGA)
