ONE FC 6: Rise of Kings
Two title shots going down in Singapore
Published on September 3, 2012 by The Coffee Boy in ONEFC
Last weekend we saw Eric Kelly smash a very game Jens Pulver at ONE FC 5, and it earned him his title shot with the budding promotion. Undefeated in his professional mixed martial arts career, Kelly has beaten MMA prospects Mitch Chilson and Bae Young Kwon, and is the reigning URCC featherweight champion. His TKO victory over the former UFC Lightweight Champion extends his record to 8 – 0.
The man he’ll be facing is Honorio Banario. He is the reigning URCC lightweight champion, and has beaten Alcer Lozada and Patrick Manicad, amongst others. Last weekend, his win over Andrew Benibe was apparently enough to get a title shot. His win over Benibe extends his record to 7 – 1, and he is currently 1 – 1 with ONE FC.
The matchup is a little strange, as Eric Kelly is 3 – 0 with ONE FC, while Banario has one win and one loss with the promotion. A title fight for Kelly against Tatsuya Kawajiri would have probably gone over a little bit better with the fans, however, they will have to settle for this matchup for now.
The other title fight going down will be Zorobabel Moreira against Ole Laursen, as was confirmed on Twitter by Victor Cui (although the Tweet was removed several hours later).
Moreira is 7 – 1 with ONE FC, putting on stellar performances beating Andy Wang, Felipe Enomoto, and Roger Huerta in dominant fashion. Clearly one of the best prospects under the ONE FC lightweight roster, it’s no surprise he was given this opportunity.
His opponent will be none other than Ole Laursen. Despite reports that Laursen had cut ties with the promotion, he’ll be facing Moreira for the title, stepping in for Eduard Folayang (who was originally announced to fight for the title). Laursen is 6 – 3, having beaten Eduard Folayang, Jian Kai Chee and Nick LeConte, to name a few.
One wonders what might happen after Shinya Aoki makes his debut with the promotion, facing top French fighter Arnaud Lepont. If Aoki is victorious, he would be a clear no. 1 contender in that division, but seeing as Moreira is a training partner of his at top Asian MMA gym Evolve, who knows what is going to happen.
Make sure to catch ONE FC 6: Rise of Kings going down in Singapore on the 6th of October.
Can you re-confirm the main events? It looks like Kelly isn't on this card anymore, nor Ole.
ReplyDeleteI am no longer even trying to keep up with the changes. All MMA events are in danger of changes due to injuries etc. I am not going to post each announced bout anymore, until the night of the fight nothing is guaranteed.
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