ONE Championship is ensuring a festive week heading to its much-awaited inaugural card in Shanghai, China as Asia’s premier martial arts organization is bringing one of its top superstars to grace the event on 2 September.
Filipino-American sensation Brandon “The Truth” Vera, who is the reigning ONE Heavyweight Word Champion, will be making a special appearance during the event week of ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI.
While many cageside observers are counting out Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam in his ONE Welterweight World Championship clash against longtime division kingpin Ben “Funky” Askren, the Swedish standout revealed that his underdog role gives him the extra drive to have his hand raised in triumph.
Kadestam faces Askren in the main event of ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI, which takes place at the 15,000-capacity Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China on 2 September.
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.
Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen completed his climb to the top of ONE Championship’s competitive 70.3-kilogram weight class by clinching a prestigious martial arts gold against a fierce Russian rival.
The 28-year-old Australian standout knocked out the previously unbeaten Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in their rematch and laid claim to the featherweight crown in the main event of ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS last Friday, 18 August at the iconic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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.
The race to dominate the lucrative martial arts scene in China has heated up after ONE Championship announced its inaugural event in Shanghai, which is set to take place at the 14,000-capacity Shanghai Oriental Sports Center on 2 September.
Described as the showpiece of the booming economy of mainland China, the city will play host to ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI, featuring the absolute best in world-class martial arts talent.
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.
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.
