On Friday, ONE Championship: Conquest of Champions saw a new lightweight champion crowned, while heavyweight title holder Brandon Vera retained in his first fight in two years.
ONE Championship returned to the Mall of Asia arena on Friday, hosting Conquest of Champions in Manila, Philippines. Two title fights topped the card: one saw the vacant lightweight title up for grabs. The other saw Brandon Vera’s heavyweight championship on the line. When the dust settled, the Philippine’s own Eduard Folayang claimed lightweight gold. Vera, meanwhile, made short work of title challenger Mauro Cerilli in the main event, returning to the cage in triumphant fashion after two years away.
For Vera, his return at ONE Championship: Conquest of Champions lasted barely more than a minute. Catching Cerilli with a fadeaway left hook, he floored the challenger, notching the second defense of his heavyweight title. At age 41, former UFC heavyweight Vera has now won four straight, with all four fights coming under the ONE banner. All four finished in first-round stoppages.
Folayang, meanwhile, claimed the title recently vacated by multi-division champ Martin Nguyen. The win comes at an interesting time for ONE’s lightweight division, as Eddie Alvarez has recently joined the promotion, and will no doubt be gunning for the title — though a lightweight grand prix involving the newly signed UFC star has already been announced.
Catch up on the full results, video and recap from ONE Championship: Conquest of Champions by following the link, and don’t miss highlights in the gallery below!
