In one of the biggest nights for Asian-based promotion ONE Championship, Filipino fighters Jimmy “The Silencer” Yabo and Cary “The Prince” Bullos went to the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore with high hopes. However, two Singaporean lions, Benedict “Dintinho” Ang and Christian “The Warrior” Lee, sent them back crashing down to Earth in two stoppage losses.
Two new world champions were also crowned in the main event as Angela Lee was crowned as Asia’s first female mixed martial arts world champion while Light Heavyweight Roger Gracie won the first MMA world championship for the distinguished Gracie clan during ONE: Ascent of Power Friday evening.
Here are the results for ONE Championship: Ascent to Power:
18 year old Ang grinds out Yabo
#ONEFightNight #MMA Jimmy "The Silencer" Yabo from Lapu Lapu City makes his way to the ONE cage pic.twitter.com/2IoToYqyme
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 6, 2016
Singapore’s Benedict Ang put in a workman-like effort, pummeling his opponent, Jimmy “The Silencer” Yabo of the Philippines, from the mounted crucifix position to force a verbal submission.
Lapu Lapu City-based featherweight Yabo was able to evade the Singaporean wrestling champion’s early takedown attempts in the early-goings of the match. However, the persistence of the 18 year old Evolve MMA fighter led to the first takedown of the match after a trip a minute and 45 ticks into the match. Apparently, Yabo hurt his right foot after the trip that interfered with the gameplan of the Cebuano as Ang took his opponent down with ease.
In a bizarre moment during the interval, Yabo sat in Ang’s corner just to notify official Yuji Shimata of a problem with the mat. Due to this, Yabo was not able to get a breather on his corner as the one minute break expired.
#ONEFightNight #MMA Ang's takedowns doing wonders for him. Jimmy Yabo needs to rally back in the 3rd rd pic.twitter.com/ezxptKjRkp
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 6, 2016
Yabo tried his best to thwart Ang’s takedowns throughout the bout but was largely unsuccessful in the second round. Dintinho was able to take his opponent down twice during the round including a huge slam with 2:06 remaining in the second stanza that led to a crucifix position.
#ONEFightNight #MMA Benedict Ang grounds and pounds Cebuano Jimmy Yabo for the 3rd rd stoppage pic.twitter.com/jaoRIP1Fcc
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 6, 2016
In the third round, the 20-year-old Ang sealed the deal with a volley of unanswered punches to earn the stoppage at the 3:10 mark of the third round.
“I don’t know what to say,” the 18 year old said after the bout. “I had so many things going outside of camp. I just want to thank everyone who supported me throughout this ordeal.”
When asked about the finish, Ang kept it short in saying, “I just came and did my thing.”
With the win, Ang stays perfect at 3-0 while Yabo falls to 5-3.
17 year old Christian Lee makes quick work of Bullos
Singapore’s Christian “The Warrior” Lee continues his meteoric rise through the ranks with his fourth straight stoppage victory, turning in a sensational performance against the Philippines’ Cary “The Prince” Bullos to win by submission. Lee started off with his familiar unorthodox stance, peppering Bullos with sidekicks. When Bullos tried to close the gap, Lee took advantage by latching onto the Filipino’s neck. Within moments, Lee was able to drag Bullos to the ground, sinking in the D’Arce Choke to force the tap at the 2:06 mark of the very first round.
LIVE RESULTS – Fight 6: @christianleemma Lee beats Cary Bullos by Submission (Ananconda Choke) at 2:07 of rd 1 pic.twitter.com/X8zd91u83J
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) May 6, 2016
“Once I got it in, I just listened to my coaches and just waited for the finish,” the 17 year old fighter said.
Lee goes to 4-0 in his young MMA career while Bullos goes back to the drawing board with a 7-4.
Two new world champions crowned
In the main event, Singapore’s “Unstoppable” Angela Lee overcame a spirited performance from Japanese MMA veteran Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi to clinch the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship. Lee and Yamaguchi traded heavy blows and showcased high-level, tactical grappling skills all throughout the fight to the delight of a packed Singapore Indoor Stadium crowd. Yamaguchi started out very strong in the early going, but Lee came on late and scored points for multiple near-finishes. Throughout five gruelling rounds, Lee dug deep in the second half of the bout, doing just enough to earn the unanimous decision victory.
In the evening’s co-main event, Roger Gracie of the world-renowned Gracie fighting family of Brazil, dispatched previously-unbeaten opponent Michal Pasternak of Poland with ease, securing a deep arm-triangle choke to end the bout and claim the inaugural ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship. After a brief striking exchange, Gracie took Pasternak to the ground from the clinch. Pasternak tried his best to escape but within moments the choke was on and Pasternak was put to sleep.
