Filipino martial artist Rene “The Challenger” Catalan has a unique predicament on Friday, 18 August as he will be dividing his time between being a cage competitor and acting as a chief cornerman.

Catalan will be sharing the ONE Championship cage with grappling prodigy Bu Huo You Ga of China on the undercard of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS, which takes place at the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

As Kevin Belingon crosses paths with a fellow former world title challenger in Reece McLaren, the Filipino knockout artist sees a big reward if he plays his cards right against the Australian standout.

Belingon is set to square off with McLaren on the stacked card of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS, which takes place at the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 18 August.

Sacrifice means to give up something cherished in order to get something even more valuable in the future. This concept also applies to the constantly-evolving world of martial arts as the path to becoming a celebrated world champion is paved with much sacrifice.

To set foot on the pinnacle of success, all competitors must go through blood, sweat and tears in training. Moreover, martial artists have to be separated from their families for months to dedicate their lives to the craft that they seek to perfect.

Vietnamese-Australian standout Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen had to undergo the same process as had to give up numerous special occasions with his family and friends to fully focus on his training.

“The life of a professional martial artist is difficult, but I understand that in order to be the best, we have to make certain sacrifices. Spending time away from friends and family to train isn’t easy,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen admitted the most painful sacrifice is the separation from his family, but he knows that there is a reward waiting for him.

“It’s part of being a professional martial artist. A lot of sacrifices have been made. Training in December was one of them. I had to give up Christmas celebrations for this fight. I missed a lot of family activities such as birthdays and reunions,” he stated.

“If I want to consider myself as a championship-quality athlete in this sport, I have to make that sacrifice. In the end, I will reap the fruits of my labor. Hard work cannot be denied forever,” Nguyen added.

Nguyen’s sacrifices inside the ONE Championship finally paid off as he is set to vie for prestigious gold in his upcoming bout.

The 28-year-old Vietnamese-Australian stalwart is booked to square off with with Marat “Cobra” Gafurov of Russia in a rematch for the ONE Featherweight World Championship in the main event of ONE: QUEST OF GREATNESS, which takes place at the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 18 August.

Nguyen earned his much-deserved shot at Gafurov’s coveted gold-plated strap after notching a remarkable first-round knockout victory over Japanese journeyman Kazunori Yokota last January.

After nearly two years of trying, Nguyen finally found himself back in a contest for the ONE Featherweight World Championship title.

“I am back. I really worked hard for this. I know you hear it from many athletes that their dream is to become a world champion. I would say the same. It’s the main objective of every martial artist in this sport,” he articulated.

03 August 2017 – Macao, China: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), recently held a blockbuster kick-off press conference for ONE: KINGS &  CONQUERORS at the Sicily Room at The Venetian Macao in Macao, China. In attendance was Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, Chatri Sityodtong as well as reigning and defending ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil, and his opponent, world title challenger Andrew Leone of the United States.

Fathers play many roles in parenting responsibilities to their children. Some are involved in every aspect of their children’s lives, while others work on only selective facets.

Regardless of which areas a father chooses, this relationship begins the journey towards an inevitable bond between parent and offspring.

MACAU has a special place in the heart of Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Joshua “The Passion” Pacio after being part of history when Asia’s largest sports media property ONE Championship debuted in the special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China last year. And now that he is set to fight back there, he said he is very much excited and looking forward to performing well anew.

Part of the under card for “ONE: Kings & Conquerors” happening at the Cotai Arena in The Venetian Macao on Aug. 5, Baguio City, Benguet native Pacio will take on Japanese newcomer Hayato Suzuki.

As Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly continues his marvelous rise in ONE Championship’s stacked featherweight division, renowned Filipino martial arts veteran Eric “The Natural” Kelly can't help but feel impressed with his younger brother's winning streak in Asia’s largest sports media property.

Filipina fighter Jomary Torres sees it as a privilege to be fighting side-by-side with fellow homegrown martial artists on the undercard of ONE: KINGS & CONQUERORS in Macao. China on Saturday, August 5.