Sydney based Martin Nguyen will be looking to add a third concurrent One Championship title belt tomorrow night when meets bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes.
The bout headlines the promotions return to Bangkok, Thailand for the event titled One Championship: Iron Will.
Nguyen shocked the world in December when the 28 year-old became the first two-division champion in the promotion with a highlight reel knock0out of Eduard Folayang (video), adding the lightweight strap to his featherweight title he claimed earlier against the previously undefeated Marat Gafurov.
“I’m working round the clock to give the performance of a lifetime. All my matches ended within the distance, and I plan to end this one early too,” Nguyen said via a press-release.
“I’m definitely looking to finish. I know Bibiano will be the best opponent I have ever faced, but I’m going to go in there and do my thing. I think I can catch him late and my youth and athleticism will be too much. It’s time to make history again.”
Fernandes, 37, claimed the bantamweight title way back in 2013 and has made an impressive six title defenses since, most recently submitting US based fighter Andrew Leone in the first round. Prior to the quick-fire victory, the Brazilian earned a split decision against Australia’s Reece McLaren.
“I’m not just competing for the belt anymore, to me, it’s all about challenges now,” Fernandes commented in the press-release.
“I want to challenge myself and see how far my skills have progressed. Martin Nguyen is a great challenge for me, one of the biggest of my career. Everyone is talking about his power and how he’s going to know me out. I would like to see if he can. When he won the featherweight and lightweight world titles, it’s was definitely impressive. But this is my division. He’s coming into my territory and I will defend it. This challenge really motivates me to be at my best.”
Fight Card:
- Bibiano Fernandes (c) vs. Martin Nguyen – One Championship bantamweight title
- Richard Corminal vs. Garry Tonon
- Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke vs. Jeremy Miado
- Alain Ngalani vs. Ariunbold Tur-Ochir
- Rahul Raju vs. Shannon Wiratchai
- Rika Ishige vs. Angelie Sabanal
- Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev vs. Tetsuya Yamada
- Kaji Ebin vs. Sunoto Peringkat
- Robin Catalan vs. Kritsada Kongsrichai
- Zhikang Zhao vs. Waqar Umar
