In an announcement made by ONE Chief Executive Officer Victor Cui at the City of Dreams Grand Ballroom in Pasay City, Filipino-Americans bantamweight Mark Striegl and featherweight Ana Julaton are set to return to the ONE cage in ONE Championship’s year-end show, Spirit of Champions.
“Each year in Manila, we try to outdo ourselves by putting on increasingly exciting fight cards for passionate fight fans in the Philippines,” Cui stated in the press conference.
As previously announced, ONE Spirit of Champions will play host to the titanic ONE heavyweight title match between MMA veteran Brandon Vera (13-7-1) and 6’9 British stand-up fighter Chi Lewis Parry (6-0-1).
Vera, who made his debut at the Warrior’s Way event last December, has been embroiled in a social media warfare with Parry over the past few months. Due to the incessant demand by the fight fans, Vera and Parry are set to clash in Manila.
Vera vowed to punish Parry in their heavyweight title clash this December in saying, “If I had the chance, I will beat him up for all five rounds or until he quits.” He added that the pressure in fighting in the Philippines is a challenge he takes into heart. “Ang pangit pag natalo dito,” he said in Tagalog.
“In addition to the already tremendous main event bout between heavyweights Brandon Vera and Chi Lewis Parry, we are bringing back fan favorites Ana Julaton, Mark Striegl, and Ruel Catalan. Get ready for an amazing night of world-class MMA action,” declared Cui.
Mark “Mugen” Striegl (14-1) is one of the most telented wrestlers in the Philippine MMA scene today. After switching camps to Evolve MMA, the Filipino-American has become a complete fighter. Striegl is set to take on Australian Jordan “Showtiime” Lucas.
Jordan Lucas, being 21 years young, is undefeated in his MMA career in eight fights. He is one of Australia’s top bantamweights and has railed off two straight submission finishes.
Cui stated that this will be Striegl’s final test before being awarded a championship fight against Bibiano Fernandes. For Striegl he said that he cannot look past his opponent, “I’m taking it one fight at a time. I cannot look past Jordan as he is a very dangerous opponent.”
In addition to Striegl, women’s bantamweight boxer Ana “Hurricane” Julaton (2-1) makes her return as well. Being the hometown darling in her last fight, she was able to stave off Walaa Abbas by unanimous decision. With the guide of UFC heavyweight Frank Mir, Julaton has improved her ground game and cannot wait to show fight fans just how much she learned in training.
Her opponent is Russian Irina Mazepa (1-0) is a former kickboxing champion who made her successful debut against Ann Osaman during ONE Tigers of Asia. She was able to knockout Osman in the very first round.
Also announced was a flyweight bout between Ruel Catalan (2-6) going up against Alex Silva (2-1)
