Quick Thoughts: UFC, ONE FC, and Asia’s Finest

Quick Thoughts: UFC, ONE FC, and Asia’s Finest

Published on July 7, 2012 by The Coffee Boy in Opinion

Quick Thoughts: UFC, ONE FC, and Asia’s finest from The Coffee Boy

With all the noise about UFC’s biggest rematch ever, and us (MMANewsAsia) making a ton of noise about Johor’s Ultimate Beatdown 9 (rightfully so, too), and so much going on all over Asian MMA, it’s easy to get lost in all this hype. But let’s take a quick look at what we have to look forward to.

ONE FC 4 was a huge success – a sold-out event, a stacked card with fights that exceeded the hype, and a Brazilian soccer kick. You can check out my previous article on the significance of ONE FC 4 here (Alan, link it up!). What’s next for the biggest promotion in Asia?

ONE FC 5 will be taking place in August, in none other than Manila, Philippines. According to ONE FC, it is expected to be a sold-out event, with 16,000 people in attendance – definitely making it their largest event ever. They have also hinted that it will be their most stacked card yet:

“ONE FC: Pride of a Nation on August 31 in Manila will be the most stacked card in ONE FC history. DREAM Champions, URCC Champions, ex UFC Champions, 3 Gracies, PRIDE veterans, and other Asian stars will make history in front of 16,500 fans at the legendary Araneta Coliseum where Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in “Thrilla in Manila”. It will be the largest MMA event in Filipino history.”

If that doesn’t send goosebumps throughout your body, you might be dead inside. Some of you may remember watching Ali vs Frazier, younger fans may have watched it more recently too. It was insane back then, and I expect that ONE FC’s event held there will be even crazier, considering the fact that MMA fans are pretty hardcore, and this will be a momentous step for not only the promotion, but for the sport as a whole in Asia.

Also, the UFC have recently announced they will be heading to Macau later this year. You can check out our post here (Alan, another link! “yessir massa, jeez what a dick”) The UFC will definitely make a splash, and I’m expecting a solid card to be put on by the promotion. Expect to see some new signees, probably some young and upcoming fighters.

Keep an eye out on the URCC for upcoming events. They have put on solid events for many years, and they have provided one of the best ever Asian MMA clips, remember Honorio Banario’s fight with Seyed Razi Jabbari? search it out on YouTube it’s awesome, those URCC dudes are not taking any prisoners. I also hope to see Eric Kelly back in the ring, defending his title. And maybe Eduard Folayang will make his comeback fight in a URCC ring soon, after his loss against Ole Laursen back at ONE FC 3? Who knows – stay tuned!

Also, Legend FC are sure to make announcements soon on upcoming events. We have seen some of Asia’s finest grace their ring – Myung Ho Bae, Mark Striegl, and Koji Ando, just to name a few. Make sure to check back for updates on what they’re up to.

So there’s a TON to look forward to, and fans here in Asia should be excited that the UFC is coming to town, and that ONE FC is setting the bar so high each time that it drops your jaw to the floor.