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When there is a lot of competition on the market for MMA viewers, a promotion must do their best to get all the viewers they can and that is exactly what One FC is doing. The company is headlining this event with a lightweight title bout with the top rated Shinya Aoki in the challenger’s role. Also, the semi-finals of the bantamweight grand prix and a UFC veteran is going to battle a Strikeforce veteran.
Kicking off the action is a featherweight division fight as Bashir “Somchai†Ahmad (1-0-0) competes against Shannon “One Shin†Wiratchai (2-0-0-1NC). Ahmad made his professional MMA debut in April 2012, defeating Mohammad Arshad at a Pak Fight Club event. Wiratchai is looking to rebound from a terrible One FC debut, in which he fought Mitch Chilson to a no contest after an illegal soccer kick. This is an interesting battle of the undefeated fighters, but it will be Wiratchai keeping his undefeated streak alive.
A pair of bantamweights are in action next as Leandro “Brodinho†Issa (10-3-0) is in action against Yusup “Maestro†Saadulaev (9-2-1). Issa has won two of three in One FC competition, defeating the duo of Soo Chul Kim and Masakazu Imanari. Saadulaev is currently winless in One FC competition, suffering a defeat to Kevin Belington at One FC VI in late 2012. These are two fighters who could be future champions in One FC, but it will be Issa picking up his third One FC victory.
Flyweights will be stepping into the cage next as Rene “D’ Challenger†Catalan (0-0-0) will do battle with Alex “Little Rock†Silva (1-1-0). Catalan will be making his professional MMA debut in this fight, but he did compete many times as an amateur. Silva will be looking to rebound from his first professional MMA defeat, which came at the hands of Geje Eustaquio at One FC II. How either of these two fighters made in onto the main card is beyond me, but it will be Catalan getting a win in his first pro fight.
We move to the lightweight division for the next fight as Arnaud “The Game†Lepont (9-2-0) stands across the cage from Eddie “The Magician†Ng (5-1-0). Lepont has split both of his One FC appearances, defeating Brian Choi and suffering a defeat to Shinya Aoki. Ng is currently undefeated in One FC competition and has yet to see any of his pro bouts go past the opening round. The winner of this bout could be next in line for a lightweight title shot and it will be Ng getting that shot.
The bantamweight grand prix semi-final round fight is up next as Kevin “The Silencer†Belingon (10-2-0) steps up to fight Thanh “Aladdin†Vu (3-1-0). Belingon punched his ticket to the tournament semi-finals when he defeated Yusup Saadulaev at One FC VI. Vu earned himself a spot into the tournament’s second round when he defeated Mohd Fouzein at One FC VII. These are two fighters who looked really good in the opening round, but it will be Belingon advancing to the finals.
Another bantamweight grand prix semi-final bout is next as Jens “Lil’ Evil†Pulver (27-17-1) battles Masakatsu Ueda (16-2-2). Pulver pulled the biggest upset in the tournament when he defeated Ya Fei Zhao by decision at One FC VI. Ueda found himself a position in the tournament semi-finals when he defeated Min Jung Song at One FC VI. Pulver shocked the MMA world in the opening round, but that will not be happening again as Ueda advances to the finals.
Up next is a middleweight division fight as Brock Larson (36-7-0) takes on Melvin “No Mercy†Manhoef (27-9-1-1NC). Larson has won seven of ten since his UFC release, which came after a loss to Brian Foster by submission at UFC 106. Manhoef enters the fight riding a three fight winning streak, which includes a victory over UFC veteran Denis Kang at DREAM 18. This is one of the bigger middleweight bouts not being contested in the UFC right now, but it will be Manhoef getting the win.
Headlining this card is a One FC Lightweight Title bout as champion Kotetsu “No Face†Boku (20-7-2) defends against Shinya “Tobikan Judan†Aoki (32-6-0-1NC). This will be the first title defense for Boku, who won the gold when he defeated Zorobabel Moreira at One FC VI. Aoki is currently undefeated in One FC competition, having defeated Arnaud Lepont by submission at One FC VI. This fight will be a test to see if Aoki is still the king of the lightweight division and he will prove to still be the king as he captures the championship.
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