ONE: ‘Century’ Preview (Pt. 4)

The second ONE: “Century” fight card, part of the promotion’s weekend doubleheader in Tokyo, Japan, is set for this Sunday evening (local time). It will be headlined by a light heavyweight title bout between Aung La Nsang and Brandon Vera and also feature the final of the Featherweight Grand Prix.

The first four matches pit champions past and present from Shooto and Pancrase against one another. The winners of each fight will receive $50,000 USD so the stakes are high, particularly as neither promotion is known for handing out big purses.

Mauro Cerilli vs. Arjan Bhullar (Heavyweight)

Mauro Cerilli (13-3) did not look impressive against Brandon Vera. His two ONE Championship appearances have lasted a grand total of 3:34 but he looks to be basically a brawler.

Arjan Bhullar (9-1) is coming off back-to-back UFC wins heading into this bout. He’s been beating better opponents than Cerilli and will be a strong favorite to win this fight.

Kickboxing: Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Samy Sana (Featherweight Grand Prix Final)

No-one expected Samy Sana to beat Yodsaenklai Fairtex in the quarter final. And few predicted the problems that Petmorrakot Wor Sangprapai would cause Giorgio Petrsoyan so the outcome of this fight is far from a foregone conclusion.

Petrosyan is a southpaw who strikes with surgical precision. But Sana will have a significant height and reach advantage and with $1mn USD in prize money on the line the stakes are high.

Muay Thai: Rodtang Jitmuangnon (c) vs. Walter Goncalves (For Flyweight Title)

Rodtang Jitmuangnon is quite simply in the best form of his life. Since capturing ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai title the aggressive, all action fighter has beaten Seksan Or Kwanmuang twice in Thailand.

Walter Goncalves clearly isn’t on Seksan’s level and after a disappointing outing in this venue last time out Rodtang will have a point to prove. That could be bad news for the Brazilian.

Bibiano Fernandes (c) vs. Kevin Belingon (For Bantamweight Title)

We’ve seen this one before. Three times so far so we have a pretty astute idea of how it will play out, either Bibiano Fernandes (23-4) wins by submission or the fight goes the distance and it’s close.

Fernandes will look to get the fight down while threatening with his overhand right while Kevin Belingon (20-6) wants to use kicks and punches. The Filipino will fight in bursts while and the Brazilian will bide his time looking for a takedown.

Aung La Nsang (c) vs. Brandon Vera (For Light Heavyweight Title)

How big will the size difference be? Aung La Nsang (25-10-0-1) has spent much of his career as a welterweight while Brandon Vera (16-7) has been competing at heavyweight for the past few years.

La Nsang has solid kicks and might look to attack the legs of his taller opponent. Vera is a competent kickboxer but might feel the safest strategy is to put the Burmese fighter on his back.

The entire ONE: “Century” part two fight card will be available to view live and free in some territories using the newly launched app which you can download here.

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