Put ONE FC, Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization, together with the promised benefits of Berocca’s multi-vitamin drinks, and you get a glowing poster boy who goes by the name of Eddie ‘The Magician’ Ng.
The two companies have teamed up to bring us the ultimate mixed martial arts event of the year – ONE Fighting Championship: Honor & Glory, which takes place on 30th May at the Indoor Stadium.
The organisers have proclaimed that fans filling up the 12,000-capacity arena won’t be disappointed, as ONE FC has concocted an impressive line-up for its 10-bout fight card.
I was treated to a preview of just how explosive these cage fights can get when I watched Askren and Ng spar with the head trainer of EVOLVE MMA and instructor respectively.
Walking towards the cage in the expansive EVOLVE MMA gym located in Far East Square, I had only the slightest idea of what was going to happen. Watching the first season of Ultimate Fighter – go team Chuck! – prepared me well enough, and I was told to expect a simple demonstration of fighting and mixed martial arts techniques.
Lightweight Eddie Ng is credited as one of the fastest-rising fighters in Asia. Ng gained his nickname through an impressive streak of victory against more experienced opponents, and his image as a formidable combat athlete has primed him to be the first ever ONE FC Berocca ambassador.
Ng will take on Dutch striker and kickboxer Vincent Latoel in the upcoming fight. Meanwhile, Ben Askren – lauded as possibly the world’s greatest welterweight, and nicknamed ‘Funky’ – will meet Bakhtiyar Abbasov in his ONE FC debut.
Askren and Ng took turns with the demonstrations. I stood right by the cage and those heart-stopping thumps whenever someone was flung to the ground sounded really, really painful. Gimmicks and theatrics are mainstays in fighting competitions, but this was far from an amateur catfight between grown men.
If this was just a preview of the intense grappling we can expect from the championship, I can’t wait to witness the final fight. I won’t be spotted at the cage side though.
Organizers are expecting a sold-out arena so get your tickets soon! Otherwise, you can catch the action live on STAR Sports.
No cable subscription? You can purchase a live viewing of the event at US$9.99. Just go to www.onefc.livesport.tv.
Also, check out the roadshow Berocca is holding on the 26th – 28th May to get an eyeful of live fight demonstrations by various other skilled fighters from EVOLVE MMA. This will take place from 12 – 2PM at Raffles Place.
I hear they’re giving out discount vouchers for regular-priced Berocca products so don’t miss out! Additional perks? You might stand to win a VVIP experience to ONE FC: Honor and Glory! Go to Berocca and find out how.
Get your tickets here!
For more information and updates on ONE Fighting Championship, visit www.onefc.com, and www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.
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