Following back-to-back victories under the One Championship banner, Aussie bantamweight Reece “Lightning” McLaren will challenge champion Bibiano Fernandes for the bantamweight title in December.
The event, One Championship: Age of Domination, takes place December 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.
McLaren (9-3 MMA, 2-0 One Championship) has looked impressive since joining the promotion late last year with victories against Mark Striegl and most recently Muin Gafurov. Prior to signing with the promotion, the 25 year-old Gold Coast based fighter, who will ride a four-fight win streak into the clash, submitting both Jacob Mahony and Edwin Arana for the XFC and Eternal MMA bantamweight titles respectively.
Fernandes (19-3 MMA, 7-0 One Championship) hasn’t tasted defeat since losing to Hiroyuki Takaya way back in 2010 and has since rattled off 11 straight victories which includes four One title defenses. In his most recent outing in January, Fernandes submitted Kevin Belingon in the first round. Of note, the 26 year-old Brazilian holds a 2012 victory over another top tier local bantamweight in Gustavo Falciroli.
ABS-CBN Sports first reported the matchup earlier today.
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