Former UFC, Hero’s, and DREAM star Yoshihiro Akiyama will make his ONE Championship debut at Legendary Quest in Shanghai, China.
China remains a key territory in MMA’s global expansion, and on Monday, Asia’s ONE Championship announced the first bouts for their return to the nation. Taking place in Shanghai, China, ONE Championship’s Legendary Quest will see Stamp Fairtex defend her atomweight Muay Thai title against Australia’s Alma Juniku. In addition to the title fight, the promotion also announced that former UFC star Yoshihiro Akiyama would make his ONE debut on the card.
Fairtex captured kickboxing gold last October at ONE’s Kingdom of Heroes card, defeating “Killer Bee” Kai Ting Chuang to claim the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship. She added the Muay Thai title to her collection earlier this year, and will make her first title defense (in either discipline) against Juniku.
Yoshihiro Akiyama (14–6 (2)) — or Sexyama, if you prefer — makes his ONE Championship debut at 43 years of age, having not fought since 2015. That fight came back in the UFC, a split decision loss against Alberto Mina that easily could have gone in the Japanese fighter’s favor.
At Legendary Quest, Akiyama will look to avoid the fate suffered by fellow UFC transplants Eddie Alvarez, Yushin Okami, and Sage Northcutt, all of whom fell in their ONE Championship debuts. It won’t be easy, however. Akiyama has been paired up with Agilan Thani, a former welterweight title challenger.
Also announced for ONE Championship: Legendary Quest on Monday:
Tarik Khbabez vs. Anderson “Braddock” Silva – ONE Super Series Kickboxing
Reinier De Ridder vs. Gilberto “Giba” Galvao
Han Zi Hao of China vs. Andrew “Maddog Fairtex” Miller – ONE Super Series Muay Thai
Koyomi Matsushima vs. “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il
Rodlek PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym vs. Liam “Hitman” Harrison – ONE Super Series Muay Thai
Fan Rong vs. Sherif “The Shark” Mohamed
Chen Lei vs. Anthony Engelen
Victorio “Indra” Senduk vs. Phoe Thaw
Yoon Chang Min vs. Trestle Tan
Itsuki Hirata vs. Angelie “D’ Explorer” Sabanal
ONE Championship: Legendary Question takes place June 15 at the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai, China.