One FC 5: Pride of a Nation

 

When In Manila or elsewhere in the world, Filipino fight fans leave no hesitation in showing their support for their countrymen. We are very proud of our athletes, and especially in the world of combat sports, we raise our banners high and unflinching, egging our heroes towards victory (and sometimes even, refusing defeat)!

 

Thus, One FC 5 – the first event of the visionary Asian promotion in the Philippines – is aptly titled “Pride of a Nation”.

 

What makes the Philippines such an intriguing backdrop for One FC 5? Aside from the insanely ‘nationalistic’ audience, the Philippines has what is considerably the most mature MMA culture in the region. With an MMA promotion in the URCC that is roughly a decade in existence, and even before that our very own martial arts system in Yaw-Yan that integrates both striking and grappling, the country has been a fertile ground for developing fighters who compete in the national and more recently international arena.

 

From up North in Baguio and the Cordilleras where Mark Sangiao’s Team Lakay is based to down South in Davao where Angelito Manguray’s Beefit Pythons train and everywhere in between, the number of gyms, fighters, practitioners, and enthusiasts grow by the day, hoping to one day make an impact in the local and perhaps even international MMA scene. Some have made such an impact already. Many regard Eduard Folayang and Ole Laursen‘s three-round war on One FC 3 as the greatest, most thrilling fight in the promotion’s burgeoning history, with Laursen edging his fellow Filipino to a well-fought split decision.

 

“Many regard Eduard Folayang and Ole Laursen’s three-round war on One FC 3 as the greatest, most thrilling fight in the promotion’s burgeoning history.”

 

What to expect for One FC 5: Pride of a Nation

 

One FC 5: Pride of a Nation will be held on August 31, 2012 at the 16,500-capacity Smart Araneta Coliseum. It is the biggest event One FC  has announced thus far. It is certainly the biggest, most ambitious MMA event to be held in our country as of date.

 

Who can we expect in One FC 5? According to an interview with One FC big boss Victor Cui by The Fight Nation, five URCC champions including Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon are expected to fight on the card. On top of the deep pool of Filipino MMA superstars, UFC veterans Phil Baroni and Renato “Babalu” Sobral will be on the card as well. Hardcore BJJ enthusiasts will get to witness members of the legendary Gracie family as Rolles, Gregor, and Igor Gracie are confirmed to compete. And to top the most stacked card in Asian MMA to date, Tobikan Judan Shinya Aoki, the No. 1 lightweight in Asia, will be headlining the show in the main event. Whether the rematch between Laursen and Folayang will be held on One FC 5 or not has yet to be confirmed by the promotion’s top brass. 

 

Fresh off his armbar finish of Tatsuya Mizuno in One FC 4, Renato “Babalu” Sobral will be in the co-main event of “Pride of a Nation”.

 

One FC 5: Pride of a Nation is expected to draw MMA fans from the Philippines and beyond. Writers and analysts based in other countries have confirmed their attendance as early as now. That’s how big this event is. So When In Manila, let’s raise our banners and show everyone what Pride of a Nation really means. Check our wishlist of fighters we wanted to see for the event here. (We’re very happy that most of them will be fighting in One FC 5. Personally, having Shinya Aoki on the card is more than enough!) Visit onefc.com for updates on the fight card. And please, join in on the discussion. Comment below on whether you think a rematch between Folayang and Laursen should happen now or wait until later. Let’s rock!

 

When In Manila, Get Ready For One FC 5: Pride of a Nation