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Tuesday, Apr 09, 2013

Honorio Banario to Defend Featherweight Belt Versus Koiji Oishi at ONE FC’s “Rise to Power”

Banario with his ONE FC belt (photo via foxsportsasia.com)

Bibiano Fernandes to Fight Koetsu Okazaki

By FCF Staff

ONE FC has announced that its featherweight champion Honorio Banario will look to defend his title versus Koiji Oishi at the promotion’s May 31st “Rise to Power” event in Manila. In addition, the organization has confirmed that DREAM bantamweight champ Bibiano Fernandes will fight Koetsu Okazaki for the interim bantamweight title.

Banario (8-1) has gone 2-0 to date with ONE FC, as the Filipino fighter has scored stoppages wins over Andrew Benibe and most recently Eric Kelly.

Oishi (23-9-10), on the other hand, will be making his promotional debut. The Japanese fighter is 2-1-2 in his last five fights.

“ONE FC will be back in the fight capital of Asia on 31 May with a stacked fight card that is sure to get the adrenaline pumping for the passionate Filipino fight fans,” ONE FC CEO Victor Cui was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “This event could possibly be the largest in ONE FC’s history and features the top names in MMA, headlined by ONE FC Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario. Of course, having one of the greatest fighters on earth fighting on this card in Manila is sure to be a special night for MMA. Bibiano Fernandes always brings his best when he steps into the cage. Close to 20,000 fans will pack out the SM Mall of Asia Arena to witness the greatest sporting spectacle in the world.”

Fernandes (13-3) hasn’t fought since DREAM’s NYE event, when the Brazilian choked out Yoshihiro Maeda in the first round to record his fifth straight win.

Okazaki (8-2-1) is coming off a submission loss to Hiromasa Ogikubo while competing for Shooto last May, which ended the Japanese vet’s three fight win streak.

The May 31st card will be available for viewing here in North America via online pay-per-view.

 

 

posted by FCF Staff @ 8:17 pm
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