Eric Kelly’s first fight for 2016 has now been made official. Moreover, two Filipino fighters will join him in ONE Championship’s Clash of Heroes card in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on January 29.
One of the most celebrated Filipino fighters, Kelly (12-1) will fight in the main event of ONE’s eighth event in Malaysia in facing hometown favorite EV Ting (10-3). ONE Championship declared that this bout will be all about national pride as Malaysia’s finest takes on one of the Philippines’ top stars.
Added to the card are two of the top stars in the Philippine mixed martial arts scene.
Team Lakay’s top-flight featherweight Eduard Folayang and upcoming star Geje Eustaquio are set to be added on the card as well.
Folayang has been inactive from competition for a little over a year. “Landslide” last competed in the ONE cage during ONE’s Spirit of Champions card held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last December 2014. The 32 year old Baguio-native was viciously knocked out with a flying knee accompanied by soccer kicks by Russian prospect Timofey Nastyukhin in just three minutes of action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2EMD071N7g
Folayang is currently 3-4 in his stint with ONE Championship and has lost three out of his last five bouts. Stepping on Folayang’s career resurgence is Japanese fighter Tetsuya Yamada.
Yamada, who is making his ONE Championship debut, is currently riding an impressive seven-fight win streak. In the majority of his professional fighting career, the 25 year old Japanese fighter has fought for the ZST promotion and is the promotion’s reigning Welterweight champion. Yamada is currently boasting a 13-3-2 record.
Also added to the card is Folayang’s teammate Geje Eustaquio (6-4). “Gravity” was supposed to fight in front of his hometown crowd during ONE Spirit of Champions last December 2015. However, his opponent Chinese fighter Yang Jian Bing was hospitalized during the weigh-ins due to dehydration – resulting to his untimely passing.
Eustaquio, who has lost his last two professional bouts, is in tip-top shape and will step foot in enemy territory in facing Malaysian flyweight Saiful Merican (4-2). “The Vampire” was on a three-fight winning streak before facing current ONE World Strawweight Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke last October 2014. The Malaysian was submitted by the Thai in the second round to snap his streak. A year later, Merican was able to bounce back, in front of his hometown crown in ONE Tigers of Asia late last year, with a knockout victory over Melvin Yeoh.
With three of the top Filipino fighters competing in the card, ONE Clash of Heroes is a must watch for all Filipino fight fans. Clash of Champions is set to be held at Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on January 29, 2016.
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