ONE FC Manila card promises to be biggest in Asia

MANILA, Philippines -- ONE FC: RISE OF HEROES
 is shaping up to be the biggest MMA event ever held in Asia.

It's is still slightly more than a week away, but the anticipation among fans all over the world has hit fever pitch. As each of the fight cards are slowly announced, the event on May 2 has become biggest mixed martial arts event to ever be held in the world’s largest continent.

MMA fans are in for a treat as two of the best Bantamweights in the world, Bibiano Fernandes and Masakatsu Ueda will be competing for the prestigious ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship.

Undefeated in more than 3 years, Bibiano Fernandes is widely regarded as the best Bantamweight in the world.  Since joining ONE FC, he has been uncontested, winning all three of his bouts convincingly. Fernandes now faces the toughest fight in his illustrious career when he takes on Masakatsu Ueda.

On the other hand, Ueda has made a career of defeating legends by overcoming the likes of former world champion Jens Pulver, Japanese MMA legend Rumina Sato, and BJJ legend Rolyer Gracie. Ueda’s impressive victory against Min Jung Song at the ONE FC Bantamweight Grand Prix confirmed that he can dictate what he wants to do in the caged ring.

The co-main event will also feature the return of Filipino fan favorite Eduard Folayang, as he takes on former ONE FC Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu Boku in a bout with serious title implications. Both Folayang and Boku have experienced career resurgence of late, and whoever emerges victorious in this Lightweight contest will have stamped their plea for a championship opportunity.

A card with such an important headlining bout will easily have sufficed for most organizations, but ONE FC has upped the ante by a series of exciting bouts to complement the main event. 

Fil-Am boxer Ana Julaton will also begin her mixed martial arts venture, having conquered the world of boxing by capturing both WBO and IBA Super Bantamweight championships.

There will be three more fighters in the Philippines that will be joining the undercard and enjoying the hometown support.

Eugene Toquero will also look to bounce back from his ONE FC debut defeat against the undefeated, Gianni Subba. Rey Docyogen will also seek his first ONE FC victory against USA’s Joshua Alvarez and another female fighter, Jujeath Nagaowa, will be making her first MMA debut against India’s Jeet Toshi.

Rounding up the fight card are Rob Lisita vs Yusuke Kawanago, Mamoud Salama vs Aung La N Sang, Tatsuya Muzuno vs Leandro Ataides and James McSweeney vs Chris Lokteff.

Manila has firmly established itself as the epicenter for mixed martial arts in Asia, and playing host to this historic night of mixed martial arts action will only solidify its standing. 20,000 fans are expected to pack the MOA Arena for world class mixed martial arts action.

May 2 will be another landmark for the sport as MMA proves once again why it is now considered one of the most popular sports in the world.