Iron Will could just as easily been titled “Chance of a Lifetime” as Martin Nguyen looked to capture a third title in the promotion — and hold three belts simultaneously.
In their latest trip to Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Area, ONE Championship brought with it the fight of a lifetime. With two-division champions all the rage, from Conor McGregor to Shorty Torres, ONE decided to go one step further: dual-weight champion Martin Nguyen, ruler of the promotion’s featherweight and lightweight waters, would challenge Bibiano Fernandes for bantamweight gold.
Capturing a third ONE Championship title within twelve months would be quite the coup for Nguyen (10-1). ‘The Situ-Asian’ — hailing from Australia — dispatched Marat Gafurov last August to claim featherweight gold. He followed up that performance by defeating Eduard Folayang for the lightweight title. Both victories came via knockout.
Yet his toughest test to date would unquestionably be Bibiano Fernandes (21-3). Once coveted by the UFC (to the point that they jumped the gun on his signing, before he ultimately rejected their offer), Fernandes has ruled the roost in ONE’s bantamweight division. Undefeated since 2010, ‘The Flash’ has never lost under the ONE banner. He has held titles in multiple promotions, including DREAM, and looked great doing so.
Come Saturday in Bangkok, all eyes will be on the main event. Can Nguyen claim his third title? Can Bibiano Fernandes remain dominant?
Also on the card, grappling ace Gary Tonon will make his debut, taking on Richard Corminal of the Philippines.
Check back come fight time for full results from ONE Championship: Iron Will!
ONE Championship: Iron Will Results:
Bibiano Fernandes def. Martin Nguyen by split decision — for the ONE Championship bantamweight title
Jeremy Miado def. Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke by TKO in round 1
Shannon Wiratchai def. Rahul Raju by TKO in round 1
Angelie Sabanal def. Rika Ishige by unanimous decision
Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev def. Tetsuya Yamada submission in round 3
Waqar Umar def. Zhao Zhi Kang by submission in round 1
Garry Tonon def. Richard Corminal by TKO in round 2
ONE Championship: Iron Will Results Preliminary Results:
Kritsada Kongsrichai def. Robin Catalan by TKO in round 1
Alain Ngalani def. Ariunbold Tur-Ochir by split decision
Gilberto Galvao def. Jake Buttler by TKO in round 2
Sunoto def. Hisyam Samsudin by unanimous decision
