Pinoy MMA fighters out for redemption in December ONE FC Manila card

“In every great story there is an obstacle that is overcome” said ONE Fighting Championship CEO Victor Cui on Thursday to the sports media in Midas Hotel.

Cui went on to cite former South African president Nelson Mandela, the late founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, and even the Biblical tale of David versus the Goliath as examples of those who rose from adversity to succeed.

Philippine MMA encountered a stumbling block last May 31 when all five of the Pinoy pugs on the card lost in ONE FC: Rise to Power in front of thousands of Pinoy fans. The hardest loss to swallow was that of Honorio Banario, who relinquished his ONE FC Featherweight belt to Koji Oishi after a shock second-round knockout to the Japanese veteran.

But Pinoy fighters will have a perfect opportunity to bounce back on December 6 when ONE FC, Asia's top Mixed-Martial Arts promotion, comes back to the Mall of Asia Arena with ONE FC: Moment of Truth.

Headlining the card will be a rematch between Banario and Oishi, where Banario (8-2-0) hopes to exact revenge and regain the title he lost last May.

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Lightweight Eduard Folayang, who succumbed to the world-class wrestling skills of Iran's Kamal Shalorus on that fateful night, will also attempt to improve on his 12-4-0 slate against an opponent who has yet to be determined.

Another Pinoy casualty of that nightmarish evening, Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio (4-2-0), will also battle in the Flyweight division against another Filipino, Eugene Toquero (4-0-0).

Banario, Eustaquio, and Folayang are all Baguio-based Igorots and on December 6 they will be joined by another one of their tribe who will make history as the first female Pinay MMA fighter on a ONE FC card; Jujeath Nagaowa.

Nagaowa, 26, is transitioning from Boxing, a sport she picked up in college. This will be her maiden MMA bout, and she has been training for the fight in Korea. Nagaowa is a former WBC Asian Atomweight Women's champ with a 12-13-1 Boxing record with eight victories via knockout.

“I'm privileged to be the first Pinay ONE FC MMA fighter. Lets get it on! “ said Nagaowa. She also stressed that she wants to prove that “this sport is for everyone, not just men.” Her opponent was not announced last Thursday.

Banario also revealed that Team Lakay, the MMA group that he, Folayang and Eustaquio fight out of, has engaged the services of former Iranian national tream wrestler Ali Heydarabadi to help the Team Lakay fighters with their ground game. Heydarabadi was formerly the coach of the Cypriot national wrestling team.

Most of the top Filipino MMA fighters have a Wushu background which gives them awesome striking skills but grappling and wrestling techniques are often wanting, since Wushu is a stand-up discipline.

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Cui also announced that Rene Catalan may have a rematch with Cambodian Khim Dima on that night as well. The Filipino former Wushu World Champ was defeated by Dima via TKO-strikes in the second round of their match last Friday in Singapore, but the day after ONE FC declared it a No Contest because Dima punched Catalan several times in the back of the head. That area is very sensitive and thus strikes there are illegal in MMA.

Another big name has also joined ONE FC's roster of sponsors. Petron is now supporting ONE FC and according to Cui the fuel company will be promoting the December 6 event in their service stations.

But for sure all the attention on December 6 will be the main event between Banario and Oishi. In the clash last May the Pinoy was dominating proceedings until he was tagged by one punch from Oishi that led to his downfall.

Says Banario of the rematch, “ipagpapatuloy ko ang hindi natapos na laban.” (I will continue this unfinished fight.)

The fights will be aired live on Star Sports and broadcast on IBC 13 about two weeks later. Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.