ONE Championship set the tone for what will be an amazing 2017 for ONE Championship with a series of compelling bouts featuring the absolute best in local and international MMA talent.
Three Philippine-based fighters made their 2017 debut, with Wushu practitioner Rene Catalan raising his stock after a dominant submission win over hometown darling Adrian Matheis. Former URCC Heavyweight champion Igor Subora was able to out-point Sherif Mohamed later on, while the Dubai-based Filipino lightweight was on the other end of a decision.
Rene Catalan makes it two in a row
Strawweights Rene Catalan (2-2) of the Philippines and Adrian Matheis (2-1) of Indonesia kicked off ONE Championship: Quest for Power with a spirited display of mixed martial arts action, on a bustling Saturday night in Jakarta.
After a dominant first round from Catalan, one that saw the Filipino attempt various finishes, the end came swiftly in the second when Catalan was able to execute an armbar to earn the submission victory.
Latoel snaps skid at Donayre’s expense
Vincent Latoel (17-6-2) earned a decision victory over Vaughn Donayre (8-7) on Saturday in Jakarta after three competitive rounds in ONE Championship’s lightweight division. The victory snapped a two-fight losing streak for the Dutch kickboxer, but it did not come easy.
The first round saw both men trade measured punches and kicks with one another. Latoel fought upright, moving in and out in a straight line and with many low kicks, while Donayre used good lateral movement and punches.
The pair exchanged powerful shots late in the round, with Latoel defending a takedown attempt and landing briefly in top position.
In the second round, “Magnifincent” and “The Spawn” aggressively mixed it up with their feet with more high-level striking before Latoel caught a kick from Donayre and turned it into a double leg takedown.
From off his back on the mat, the Filipino fighter briefly threatened with a straight armlock, an arm-in guillotine choke, and a flower sweep, but Latoel defended them all and landed powerful ground strikes to the head at the close of the period.
In the third round Donayre came out of his corner with a head full of steam, marching Latoel down with rapid-fire punches. However, Latoel defended and changed levels to score a takedown.
Latoel controlled the pace on the mat from on top inside the full guard before the referee forced the men back to their feet. Not to be deterred from his effective strategy, Latoel immediately shot in and scored with another takedown.
The Dutchman rode out the rest of the fight on top, securing the win. Donayre himself raised Latoel’s arm before the decision was announced, declaring Latoel the victor by way of unanimous decision.
Subora wins Light Heavyweight debut
Igor Subora (6-3) prevailed in his light heavyweight ONE debut on Saturday in Jakarta, sweeping the judges’ scorecards after three rounds of battle against Sherif Mohamed (8-2).
The Manila-based Ukrainian looked relaxed from the start against a tense Sherif, but it was the Egyptian who struck first, rushing in and scoring a takedown against the fence. However, Subora was able to avoid damage while on his back, get up, and then rally back with a takedown of his own.
From there, Subora advanced to mount, punished Sherif with punches, and prompted him to turn and give up his back. Sherif quickly also got to his feet in the process, however. Back upright, “The Shark” took several long punches to the head and unsuccessfully shot in for another takedown attempt to close the round.
Subora began the second stanza by walking Sherif down and peppering him with more strikes. After repeated failed takedown attempts from Sherif, the Egyptian ended up underneath the F.I.S.T. athlete, and took more ground and pound from the Ukrainian.
For the first half of the final round, Subora pressed an increasingly off-balance Sherif backward, and deftly defended takedown attempts from the Egyptian Top Team member.
In the final two minutes, however, it was Sherif who became the aggressor, wading into Subora with big, wide punches that mostly missed their mark, but still prompted his opponent to counter-punch, back-pedal, and even outright run away.
Still, Subora had scored enough to earn the nod from all three ringside judges, earning him his first-ever ONE Championship win in a new weight class.
ONE Championship: Quest for Power Results
Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia – January 14, 2017
Lightweight bout: Vincent Latoel defeats Vaughn Donayre by Unanimous Decision
Light Heavyweight bout: Igor Subora defeats Sherif Mohamed by Unanimous Decision
Strawweight bout: Rene Catalan defeats Adrian Matheis by Submission (Armbar) at 2:08 minutes of round 2
