TRULY A ONE FIGHTING EVENT - PART 2

Monday Blues today as I started work after the Chinese New Year break. But I shall be dedicating myself to finish up part 2 of the recent ONE Fighting Championship: Return of Warriors event. In the previous post, I wrote about five fights:

• Jake Butler vs Antoni Romulo
• Gianni Subba vs Saiful "The Vampire" Merican
• AJ "Pyro" Lias Mansor vs Jian "The Headhunter" Kai Chee
• Melvin "The Overkill" Yeoh vs Raymond "The Rocket" Tiew
• Thanh "Aladdin" Vu vs Mohd Fouzein

Up next was the magnificent Malaysian representative, Adam "Shogon" Kayoom and his opponent Zuli Silawanto from Indonesia. I've heard loads about Kayoom but have never met him in person. He is famous for defeating Gregor Gracie in the last event, ONE Fighting Championship: Destiny of Warriors. You might not know, but the Gracie family founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship and literally brought over Mixed Martial Arts from Brazil to the US. Hence a lot of media were interested to interview him, and also because of his ability to converse in fluent Bahasa. Nevertheless, we finally got to see him in action that day.

Again, I missed his entrance and also his fight but I understand from a blogger,Joanna, that he made an interesting entrance as he danced his way in. So I heard that there were some "boos" and random taunts against Kayoom here and there during the fight but Kayoom gracefully won with a rear naked choke. I salute Kayoom the most for his beautiful speech on the sacrifices all fighters make to be in the ring. Actually, I never once doubted their commitment but I believe many thinks that being on the ring is just about the glory. I mean, I know for one I won't have the guts to be in the ring in the first place, and secondly, the discipline required to cut weight and do all those training - crazy dedication that no one can disregard. Kayoom didn't see his new-born baby girl for weeks because of his fight and really, to any new parent, that means so much. For that, all our fighters deserve the utmost respect no matter they win or lose.

Peter Davis took the ring after Adam Kayoom.

It was a take-down by Krishna and then two dudes were "kicking and holding" each other (I believe there are better terms for this) and I saw Davis's long legs kick Krishna. And then - the doc stopped the fight.

The most insane and graphic live image I saw that night happened there and then when we saw Leo Krishna's lips tore open! You know like when you tear a piece of paper half way and the other half dangling, yes, it was like that but instead of paper, it was pure pink lips!

Initially disqualified match but later judges decision made it a valid win for Peter Davis. But Davis said after that during the interview that it was really not how he wanted to win. He wanted to strike more and display more techniques but I guess, it just happened that a kick he made butchered Krishna's lips. And I know he must be feeling awful about that too. Still, congratulations Peter Davis! 

Three more fights to go and the eighth fight was between two foreign fighters, and this one was termed most anticipated by some of the ONE FC staff - Lowen Tynanes vs Vuyisile Collossa. I think, Tynanes looks scary, especially in his photo. *Shivers*

It was an intense battle because both of them were so determined to win. They fought three rounds and I can see the strength displayed by both of them. Colossa did great hanging on and not giving up easy but eventually he submitted just a few seconds before the end of the third round! I still gave both of them credit. I saw bruises and blood man - although they grappled quite a bit but I think they must have used immense amount of energy! 

Penultimate fight was between Japanese Shinichi Kojima and Rey Docyogen. I was told that Rey had a perfect record before this but Shinichi Kojima put an end to it that night when he defeated Docyogen.

Kojima is hilarious! He was ecstatic after his victory he start shouting (I thought he got possessed by the Ghost of Over-excitement) and climbed the cage and exclaimed a few Japanese words and thanking us in Japanese. He later won over the Malaysian crowd when he say "Terima Kasih". Kojima: sama-sama dude!

p/s: Kojima sounds a bit like "gor ji mahl" which means "lie" in Korean. Hahahaha.

And for the MAIN EVENT. we were all waiting for this Eric "The Natural" Kelly and Honorio Banario. Five rounds and I guess we all expected a little more from them.

We think it is a strategy that they both kept it slow for the first few rounds to either save some energy or to build up the suspense. There were some kicks and punches here and there but from a lay-man's point of view, it's safe to say that there were not much action. But I am sure experts would have loads to comment on their striking styles and everything!

Then came round 4 but it happened a bit too fast. Before I know it, Banario was crowned ONE FC's first Featherweight Champion! Apparently Kelly was struck in the same eye that was hurt before by his previous opponent. Hence, he had to give up the fight.

We were all rooting for Kelly because, oh well, he is training in Malaysia and we got to spend a bit more time with him. So we were a bit disappointed but still super happy for Banario!

Media room swamped with press! We were so happy! 

You'll be happy to know that Kelly's eye is better and does not need to be hospitalised. Now I heard he is recovering yet again from his new eye injury. Poor Kelly!

The funniest thing about this fight was the entrance music. The stadium went pitch black and suddenly flashes of lights were accompanied by the main song - Justin Bieber's NEVER SAY NEVER??!!! Although the crowd cheered, but as a Malaysian, I felt that it was pure sarcasm. Hahahaha!

To end this post, I just want to say, everyone of us in the team is so happy to be able to be part of such a great event. Definitely excited about the upcoming ones. We were all drained off energy that day, but we all went home happy.

Personally, I'd like to thank ONE Fighting Championship for the opportunity to experience the whole thing and to be able to learn so much from everyone in ONE FC, from Loren and team as well as the fighters. (I've never been so well-versed in food diet and I am more excited about working out :P)

Yes, there were hardships, stress and some tears along the way (and not to mention, lost of possessions as I damaged my shoes due to severe walking); but I must say, it was all worth it because I gain so much from it. They thanked me but seriously, I am the one who have so much gratitude for them because I felt passion working again from this. And I am again so appreciative for such committed and dedicated clients who cares and will motivate me to give my best. It was really great teamwork between Esente and Loren and his side-kick Gerald and I am glad we all got a chance to work together. I mean I don't have much experience, but I have also worked with a fair share of client and the best are those who "gives a damn" and work together with you (and not think that you need to do EVERYTHING and they don't have to care)

*touchwood* and not to jinx this but I hope for more collaborations like this.

That's all for now as I really need to rush to bed.

Had diarrhea last night and couldn't sleep till 4am and naturally my day at work was terribly affected (I turn nasty when I am deprived off sleep). Been so busy with proposals and getting back into work mode that I didn't get a chance to finish my blogpost. Hence, I have sacrificed an hour of beauty sleep for this. So Good Night!