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On a rare weekend without a UFC event, MMA fans can get their fix from Asia, where two events are battling it out for supremacy in the region – Legend FC and One FC.
Legend FC brings us two title fights on the Legend 7 card, in the bantamweight and welterweight divisions.
As well as showcasing top Asian MMA talent, this card is stacked with Australian and New Zealand fighters in Matt Cain (9-6-2), Michael Mortimer (15-4), Gareth Ealey (7-2), Damien Brown (6-3), and Ev Ting (5-0).
This is a great opportunity to display Australian MMA on a world stage, especially at a time where the number one MMA promotion, the UFC, is expanding and looking to boost its roster within this region.
The main event fights pit Chinese sanda (Chinese combat sport) and wrestling specialist Li Jingliang (12-2) against the South Korean all-rounder and Legend FC welterweight champion Bae Myung Ho (12-5). With both last fighting back in July 2011, this fight will be a back and forth battle worked out on the ground.
Myang Ho looks to be the more explosive fighter, and should be able to retain the title.
The bantamweight bout sees two Chinese fighters determined to take home the title. Bantamweight contender Jumabieke Tuerxun (10-0) comes into the bout with a background in wrestling and sanda is also debuting in the Legend FC promotion with this fight.
Champion Yao Honggang (6-2) has a different background to most fighters, preferring to specialise in shuaijiao (traditional Chinese wrestling) and has been focusing on his striking and submission work in the lead-up to this card.
These fighters have met once previously, when Tuerxun beat Honggang, who was debuting at the time, via TKO in 2009.
One FC is starting out 2012 with a Battle of Heroes, pitting worldwide promotion and martial art strand champions against each other.
No titles are on the line here, just pride. Australia’s CFC champion Gustavo Falciroli (11-3-2) is pitted against South Korean born Japanese fighter Soo Chul Kim (4-2), who lost his first fight in the One FC promotion in September 2011 via unanimous decision against BJJ champion Leandro Issa (9-2).
Falciroli has defended his CFC championship once after winning in December 2010 against American Nick Honstein (11-5), via a submission win (arm triangle) in Sydney last year. A BJJ specialist, the aussie fighter is making his One FC debut and should be able to put away the win against Kim. This fight will be a great one to watch.
Other notable fights in this card include Combat Sambo World Champion, and Jackson’s MMA fighter Rustam Khabilov (12-1) against BJJ Champion and Evolve MMA fighter Rodrigo Ribeiro (9-7).
There’s also K-1 and Pride veteran Bob Sapp (11-9) fighting BJJ Champion and Renzo Gracie Academy fighter Rolles Gracie (Jr) (5-1).
With the UFC looking towards the Asian market, we can assume that they will be paying attention to the event, looking at the potential to sign, and make use of local fight talent.
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