ONE Championship Looks to Close 2015 on a High Note

Asia's premier mixed martial arts organization is back at the state-of-the-art, 20,000-seater Mall of Asia Arena this Friday, December 11, in an event called ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS.

The fight card highlights the return of former women's boxing world champion Ana "Hurricane" Julaton as well as a bout featuring bantamweight stalwart, Mark "Mugen" Striegl. In the main event, Paul "Typhoon" Cheng steps in as a last minute replacement for original participant Chi Lewis-Parry, as he takes on Filipino-American Brandon "The Truth" Vera for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship.

Fans have come to expect ONE to hold spectacular year-end cards in Manila, after the promotion has held successful shows here in the past. ONE is known to pit the best local Filipino talent against worthy international opposition, and this card is no different.

At flyweight, Team Lakay's cool and collected Wushu specialist, Geje "Gravity" Eusraquio will make an appearance along with hair-flipping striking machine Eugene Toquero. Both fighters will take on Chinese opponents in what is expected to thrilling matchups in the sport's lighter weight divisions.

Eustaquio will face Chinese fighter Yang Jian Bing in a surefire fast-paced flyweight bout. After two losses, one against Anatpong Bunrad and the other against Adriano Moraes, Eustaquio is eager to come back better and stronger, and showcase just how much he has improved since. Eustaquio, known for his well-rounded striking game, will need to outwork his opponent to emerge victorious in his home turf and return to his winning ways.

Toquero is one of the most exciting fighters to come out of Manila. His time inside the ONE Cage has been memorable, as he’s delighted fans with impeccable striking and flashy combinations. The former celebrity MMA trainer recently fell short of victory at ONE: TIGERS OF ASIA when he lost to Riku Shibuya via unanimous decision but he is set to do battle with China’s Wu Ze, who represents a chance for Toquero to get back into serious title contention.

ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS is poised to be an amazing card and is the perfect cap-off to what, by all accounts, has been an amazing year for ONE. As the sport of MMA in Asia grows in popularity by the day, ONE chief Victor Cui promises a continuous committment to cultivating local, homegrown heroes from the grassroots into bonafide superstars.

"2015 has been an amazing year and we've seen so many different things, climbed new heights while breaking barriers and spreading the ideals of the MMA discipline," said Cui.

"We've seen local MMA heroes emerge like unbeaten women's strawweight Angela Lee, and the man in the main event this Friday night, Brandon "The Truth" Vera. When we see fans cheering on their favorite fighters in a jam-packed arena like MOA, that's when we know we've done a good job."

With a team of dedicated experts in their chosen fields at the helm of ONE Championship, the promotion has seen phenomenal success.

Next year, ONE is expected to hold even more shows in iconic cities around Asia, nearly twice as many as this year’s output. Led by the promotion’s charismatic champions, and a passionate fanbase growing in numbers by the minute, ONE is in good hands at the turn of 2016.

“As good as this year was, I think next year will be even better,” said Cui.

Vera, Striegl, Julaton Showcase Wares at Media Open Workout

Just a few days ahead of ONE Championship’s annual year-end show in Manila, Philippines, Filipino Mixed Martial Arts superstars Brandon “The Truth” Vera, Mark “Mugen” Striegl and Ana “Hurricane” Julaton appeared at the KMA Fitness Gym in Makati to showcase their skills to invited media in an ‘open workout.’

The trio will represent the Philippines, along with a posse of local fighters, at ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS, which takes place Friday, December 11 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“I just can’t wait to kick his ass,” said Vera, who will be competing for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight World Championship against former English pro-basketball player, Chi “Chopper” Lewis-Parry.

“I’ve never been in shape like this. I’ve never been this big and my body fat has never been this low. My cardio’s never been this high. My confidence is through the roof with this,” Vera added.

“You need to train 1000% all the time -- 500% training and the other 500% you need to take care of your body.”

The life of a fighter is a long and arduous one, with countless nights spent in a sweltering gym, wailing away at leather, honing a craft that will be ultimately responsible for either victory or defeat.

Yet for a veteran like Vera, it’s something that simply comes second nature to him.

Across the spectrum sits bantamweight standout, Mark Striegl, who is one of the most talented fighters in his division. Striegl too is of Filipino origins and calls the Philippines his home.

Striegl is coming off a huge win over the highly-regarded Casey Suire last April, and owns a 14-1 record going into Friday night’s matchup.

He takes on Reece McLaren (7-3) of Queensland, Australia.

“To be fighting for ONE in the Philippines is a dream come true for me,” said Striegl. “My opponent is a champion from Australia and I know he is a tough one.” 

Striegl now lives and trains in Singapore as a member of the Evolve Fight Team, where he works out with various world champions in different combat sports.

“I’ve never been in a boring fight and I will always go for a knockout,” Striegl added.

Among the boys, stands a lone female warrior -- former boxing world champion Ana “Hurricane” Julaton who makes her much anticipated return to the ONE Cage.

Julaton has been working tirelessly with legendary MMA coach Ricky Lundell in Las Vegas, and by all accounts, fans are expected to see the best version of Julaton yet.

“Everyone has their own style, but I have my own style that I am comfortable fighting with,” said Julaton.

“Anyone who has been watching my first three fights can delete that image because that’s not the same Ana anymore. I feel that time I was a boxer stepping into MMA but now I am different.”

Julaton had figured in two wins with one loss so far, since transitioning to MMA. The move had been somewhat difficult as Julaton tried to adjust to different fighting disciplines. Her work in Las Vegas however, promises a new and improved Julaton, one that is ready to take the MMA world by storm.

“I’m used to going to a boxing gym, putting my shoes on. Now I have gotten used to a new environment when I go to a wrestling gym.”

Vera, Striegl and Julaton are ready, as are the fans, for an evening that should be nothing short of spectacular.