4 bouts to watch at the historic ONE: Century this weekend

The most incredible night of martial arts starts on Sunday, 13 October with ONE: CENTURY.

Going live worldwide from Tokyo, Japan, the double-header spectacle at the iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan features multiple World Title bouts, a trio of World Grand Prix Championship Finals, and several World Champion versus World Champion matches.

No organization in history has ever attempted to throw two full-scale World Championship events on the same day, but ONE Championship looks to makes history at its 100th live event.

Forty-four of the finest athletes go head-to-head, but only 22 will leave with a memorable win on their record.

It is difficult to narrow down which of these bouts will capture the hearts of martial arts fans, but here are four matches you must watch at ONE: CENTURY PART I and PART II.

#1 Aung La N Sang vs Brandon Vera

The biggest mixed martial arts clash in ONE history features two of the biggest and most dominant World Champions – Brandon “The Truth” Vera versus Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang.

Fans keeping a close eye on this are aware that there will be interesting exchanges throughout this five-round contest.

Vera and the Myanmar warrior are highly-skilled in the grappling and stand-up departments.

On paper, a finish is certainly guaranteed. This will come down to which athlete brings their very best to out-power the other and win the ONE Light Heavyweight World Title.

#2 Bibiano Fernandes vs Kevin Belingon

When one looks up the word rivalry in a mixed martial arts dictionary, expect to see two names – ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes and Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon.

Their rivalry dates back to January 2016, and three bouts later, neither one would have expected to be trading leather for the fourth time.

The Team Lakay superstar’s speed can leave Fernandes in all sorts of trouble, but Fernandes is a magician every time he steps foot in The Home Of Martial Arts.

A wizard on the ground, the black belt will try to fish Belingon at his preferred art to sketch his name into martial arts history as the finest Bantamweight World Champion of all time.

#3 Angela Lee vs Xiong Jing Nan

“Unstoppable” Angela Lee and “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan dished out the performance of their lives when they met in Tokyo in March this year.

This rematch should once again capture the true meaning of martial arts – discipline, compassion, courage, honor, and respect – several key values these two World Champions exhibit during every occasion.

Will Xiong out-strike her way to glory again and become ONE’s first two-division female World Champion? Or will the “Unstoppable” live up to her moniker this Sunday?

#4 Giorgio Petrosyan vs Samy Sana

Two of the most elite strikers in the world, Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan and Samy “AK47” Sana, collide for the biggest paycheck in their respective careers – a cool US$1 million – when the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final takes center stage.

Petrosyan and Sana will not go down easily, having battled their way through an eight-man tournament that featured multiple-time World Champions.

The Frenchman might be the underdog, but his ability to dethrone Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex tells you a lot about his potential to trick his opponents.

Will he use his range once again to secure the win? Or will “The Doctor” capture him with his series of combinations in The Land of The Rising Sun?

Catch all the action of CENTURY PART I on Astro Arena at 8:00am Malaysia Time (MYT) on Sunday, 13 October. The main card starts at 11:00am MYT.