Photo credit: Alessandro Meccheri
It was a big weekend for mixed martial arts fans in South East Asia, with two of the world’s leading promotions going head to head on our doorstep – The UFC putting on Fight Night 132 in Singapore and One Fighting Championship bringing The Pinnacle of Power to Macau.
Whilst the UFC forced veteran Cowboy Cerrone and lower ranked local fighters to carry a mediocre fight card, fans in Macau were treated with dual title fights – with the Featherweight and Strawweight belts on the line.
The undercard was filled past or potential champions, with Malaysian born New Zealand fighter Ev Ting making the most noise, posting a hard-fought win against Legend FC Lightweight champion Koji Ando from Japan and then calling out for a shot at the Lightweight title.
Ting made the most of the first round after an initial feeling out period, peppering Ando with heavy punches and kicks throughout. Ando seemed to lose respect for Ting’s power in the second round however, applying heavy forward pressure and throwing fluent strikes of his own. Although on the defensive, Ting countered well throughout, though both fighters would have went into the third thinking they would need a dominant final round to win the fight. Ting took an exciting third following a huge knee that dropped Ando, who managed to recover enough to see the judges’ score cards.
Photo credit: Alessandro Meccheri
In the co-main event, Chinese women’s Strawweight champion ‘The Panda’ Xiong Jing Nan put her belt on the line against Argentinian Laura Balin.
Xiong came into the fight carrying a lot of hype and looking to continue making waves in women’s mixed martial arts, after becoming the Chinas first ever MMA World Champion, at ONE: Kings of Courage in January. Balin on the other hand would be making her promotional debut, but carrying a great reputation herself as one of the better women’s fighters in Latin America, and believing she had the game plan to nullify Xiangs devastating striking game.
Whilst Balin was able to go the distance with Xiang, it ended up being a lop sided contest with the Argentinian taking significant damage and being controlled wherever the fight went. Xiong retained her belt, taking her unbeaten streak to seven and looking to continue to inspire her nation though her sport.
In the main event, Geje Eustaquio was looking to unify the Interim Flyweight title, whilst Adriano Moreas was out to prove that he was the undisputed Featherweight Champ.
In a highly entertaining fight that went back and forth, Eustaquio edged it on the split judges’ scorecards - much to the delight of the huge number of Filipino fans who cheered their man throughout. Moreas would have every right to be disappointed by the result, however no one will be crying robbery.
Photo credit: Alessandro Meccheri
The Brazilian had the better of the early exchanges, even locking in a Guillotine choke in the first round, which looked deep enough to end the fight. However, Eustaquio was able to keep his composure, pulling his head free and answering with some ground and pound.
Moreas would continue to threaten with submissions and dangerous strikes throughout the contest, except two of the three judges must have regarded Eustaquio’s ground and pound and control to be more significant in the fight.
For the man from the Philippines, the title represents 14 years of hard work to show that with belief anything is possible. He knows that the work won’t stop just yet, with a title to defend and Adriano Moreas no doubt hungry to take it back.
MAIN CARD RESULTS
Geje Eustaquio def. Adriano Moraes via split decision – Mens Flyweight title
Jing Nan Xiong def. Laura Balin via unanimous decision – Women’s Strawweight title
Ev Ting def. Koji Ando via unanimous decision
Narantungalag Jadambaa def. Edward Kelly via TKO (punches) – Round 2
Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai defs. Fabrice Fairtex Delannon by TKO – Round 2
Yukinori Ogasawara defs. Rui Botelho by Knockout (KO) – Round 2
Tarik Khbabez def. Alain Ngalani via Knockout (KO) – Round 3
PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS
Li Kai Wen def. Rodian Menchavez via knockout (punch) – Round 1
Danny Kingad def. Ma Hao Bin via unanimous decision
Rin Saroth def. Mario Wirawan via TKO (elbows) – Round 3