Coming into ONE: Legends of the World, Filipinos Gina Iniong and Mark Abelardo had different motivations heading into their respective bouts.
For Abelardo, it was about introducing himself and flaunting his Filipino roots to the world stage. On the other hand Iniong is fighting for her mother.
Saturday evening, the two stalwarts were able to achieve the same goal – racking up victories at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
For her part, Iniong (8-4) reaffirmed her position as one of ONE Championship’s leading women’s atomweight contenders. She dealt Jihin Radzuan (4-1) her first mixed martial arts defeat via split decision.
Iniong started the bout strong, as she let her straight right cross fly. It found its mark on multiple occasions, which forced Jihin to fire back. When she did, however, the six-time Philippine Wushu Champion slipped her punches, established double underhooks, and took the contest to the floor.
On the canvas, “Conviction” was in full command. She barely allowed the Ultimate MMA Academy product any room to move. When she did try to improve her position, the Filipina used her strength to maintain control.
When the action returned to the feet, Iniong established her range, stayed loose, and picked up where she left off earlier in the frame. After she landed a few blows, she rode out the remainder of the round by again controlling “Shadow Cat” in the corner with double underhooks.
When the second stanza began, Iniong was first to the punch once again.
The 29-year-old Team Lakay representative was accurate and powerful with her strikes, as well as strong in the clinch.
Iniong also defended the 20-year-old Malaysian’s attempts to drag the contest to the mat.
She cleverly countered; ended up in top position once more; controlled the action; and took a dominant position in side control.
Jihin, a Wushu World Champion, came out hard to begin the final five minutes, but she was second-best again as the exchanges took a similar complexion to the previous two rounds.
However, just when it looked like Iniong would cruise to a unanimous decision, “Shadow Cat” managed to out-muscle her rival for the first time and take the initiative on the canvas.
She scrambled into mount and then took the back, which set up a white-knuckle final minute as the Filipina tried to defend herself from ground and pound.
Although the blows came in waves, Iniong protected herself from major damage and did not leave any room for a submission as the final seconds ticked away.
Later in the night, Abelardo (18-5) overcame adversity, dealing Daichi Takenaka his first career loss in 12 bouts via doctor’s stoppage.
The contest appeared to be heading the Japanese athlete’s way, but the third round saw the match transformed when, during an exchange in the corner, “Tyson” connected with a straight shot. Moments later, it was followed by a right elbow, which caused damage.
The two strikes left Takenaka with a cut on his mouth that, later in the round, forced a halt to the proceedings as referee Kemp Cheng asked the ringside doctor to examine the wound.
After a close examination, the doctor did not allow the Japanese star to continue and the bout was waved off via doctor’s stoppage at 2:34 of round three.
Story from ONEFC.com
