Three Cordillera-based mixed martial artists emerged victorious last Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila when they fought in the
ONE FC: Rise of Heroes event. Eduard Folayang and Rey Docyogen notched unanimous decision wins over their respective opponents. Meanwhile, female boxer Jujeath Nagaowa made an impressive MMA debut with a technical knockout win over her opponent.
Folayang fought Kotetsu Boku of Japan in the night's co-main event. Both fighters are known strikers but the Igorot fighter clearly has a huge advantage in wrestling and grappling which he used in effectively controlling the pace and direction of the bout. Highlights of the first round were Folayang's takedown of Boku and an arm bar attempt. The second round had Folayang displaying more of his wrestling skills as he took Boku down on several attempts. Boku had some moments in the round with some nasty ground and pound of his own. Folayang ended the round with a spinning wheel kick. The third round was a wild one with both fighters attacking in search for a knockout finish. Folayang delivered the more telling blows. He was awarded the unanimous decision victory.
Folayang's teammate Rey Docyogen was finally able to emerge a winner in the ONE FC ring after two consecutive losses last year. Aside from the rear naked choke which his opponent Josh Alvarez attempted in the first round, Docyogen imposed his will and dominated all the other exchanges. He out-grappled and out-struck Alvarez.
Jujeath Nagaowa, a boxer making her MMA debut, made a statement with a performance that made her transition from boxing to MMA seem easy. She used her boxing skills in the first round to keep her opponent at bay while collecting points and opening up chances for takedowns. She ended the bout in the second round through a barrage of punches which prompted the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Below are photos from the bouts. All photos courtesy of
ONE Fighting Championship.
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Folayang going for a slam. |
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Folayang mixing things up with kicks to the body. |
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Docyogen landing a left hook. |
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Alvarez and Docyogen trading blows. |
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Nagaowa landing an overhand right. |
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Nagaowa and her team celebrating her victory. |
The main event for ONE FC: Rise of Heroes was a championship battle between Bibiano Fernandez and Masakatsu Ueda. Fernandez, who is from Brazil defended his belt by dominating the Japanese fighter throughout the bout. Fil-Am boxer Ana Julaton also made her MMA debut in the card with a TKO win over Aya Saeid Saber. Other bouts in the event were Rob Lisita (W) vs. Yusuke Kawanago, James McSweeney (W) vs. Chris Lokteff, Leandro Ataides (W) vs. Tatsuya Mizuno, and Eugene Toquero (W) vs. Gianni Subba.