Former ONE FC featherweight titlist Honorio Banario seeks redemption when he takes on defending champion Koji Oishi in the upcoming ONE FC: Moment of Truth two months from now. Banario, who lost the title to Oishi in May, wants to shake off the defeat in front of the home crowd who witnessed the Filipino fighter get clocked by a massive strike of the Japanese.
ONE FC CEO Victor Cui flew in from Singapore to promote the fight, which features several Filipino fighters in the undercard.
“I’m excited about this fight here in Manila,” an ecstatic Cui told local media during a press conference on Thursday. He described Manila as Asia’s fight capital that’s why ONE FC wanted to “finish the year here.”
He expressed confidence that mixed martial arts is gaining a considerable foothold in Manila, saying that the sport “is here to stay.”
Speaking to reporters later, Banario assured his fans that he has been doing his homework while putting extra effort in training. “I’m here to finish what I started. We’ll get back at them,” he said referring to Oishi.
Cui also revealed the comeback fight of Eduard Folayang, who regrouped after suffering a defeat also in May.
The ONE FC official looks forward to the debut of Filipino boxer Jujeath Nagaowa, who will also see action in December. Nagaowa’s impressive accomplishments include the WBC Asia Atomweight championship. Her first ONE FC fight makes her the organization’s first female fighter.
ONE Fighting Championship: Moment of Truth is on Dec 6, 7pm, at Mall of Asia Arena; www.smtickets.com. PHP220-PHP6,360. Fight fans can watch the action live on STAR Sports. Online streaming on www.onefc.livesport.tv is free for the undercard bouts.
