Sydneysider Martin Nguyen will get his chance at redemption and glory when he rematches Marat Gafurov for the One featherweight title at the promotion’s “Quest For Greatness” event in Malaysia.
In their last outing back in 2015, Nguyen took an opportunity to contend for the One featherweight title against Gafurov on late notice and was submitted quickly at only 0:41 seconds into the bout. This time around the Australian will have a full camp to prepare for the undefeated Russian.
A product of the KMA gym, Nguyen (8-1) has been on an impressive run since his lone loss to Gafurov, having gone 4-0 with the promotion, thus earning himself back into title contention. Gafurov (15-0), fighting out of Dagfighter, has looked unstoppable during his time with the promotion with notable victories over Rob Lisita, Jadamba Narantungalag and Ev Ting.
The co headliner of the night will be contested between former One title contenders, New Zealand standout Ev Ting and Japanese veteran Nobutatsu Suzuki.
Auckland MMA representative Ting (13-4) will compete for the first time since his One lightweight championship loss to Filipino Eduard Folyang earlier this year in the Philippines. Suzuki (12-2-2) most recently is coming off losses to Brazilian Marcus Vinicios and current One welterweight Champion Ben Askren.
Another Australian and former One title challenger will be featured on the main card with an exciting bantamweight match up between Queensland young gun Reece Mclaren, 25, and powerful Filipino striker Kevin Belingon.
Mclaren (9-4), fighting out of Potential Unlimited MMA, was recently edged out for the bantamweight title in a close split decision loss against Bibiano Fernandes late last year in Manila, Philippines. Team Lakay fighter Belingon (15-0) currently is riding on a two fight win streak over Muin Gafurov and Toni Tauru since his title bout loss to Fernandes in early 2016.
The event will take place at Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur on August 18.
Fight Card:
- Martin Nguyen (Australia) vs. Marat Gafurov – One Featherweight Title
- Ev Ting (New Zealand) vs. Nobutatsu Suzuki
- Agilan Thani vs. Sherif Mohamed
- Reece McLaren (Australia) vs. Kevin Belingon
- Gianni Subba vs. Riku Shibuya
- Ann Osman vs. May Ooi
- Robin Catalan vs. Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke
- Keanu Subba vs. Christian Lee
- Edward Kelly vs. Emilio Urrutia
- Rene Catalan vs. Bu Hou You Ga
Martin Nguyen scores highlight-reel finish at One Championship: Quest for Power
