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[av_heading heading=’Fil-Am Brandon Vera retains ONE FC belt via 1st round TKO’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Brandon Vera hardly broke a sweat to retain his ONE FC heavyweight belt with a first round stoppage win over Hideki Sekine of Japan in the main event of ONE FC: Age of Domination on Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Filipino-American Vera, who signed with ONE FC after being released unceremoniously by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) two years ago, needed only a round to retain the organization’s inaugural world heavyweight championship.
“Itong panalong ito hindi lang para sa akin. Para ito sa inyong lahat,” the 39-year-old Vera told the fans. “There’s nothing to compare the feeling I have right now. Maligayang Pasko!”
Vera immediately made his presence felt as he unloaded knees to the head of Sekine. The Japanese fighter responded with his takedown attempts but the Fil-Am was quick to evade the attacks.
After bludgeoning Sekine’s nose following a hard jolt by Vera, the Filipino-American went for the kill as he attacked with a thunderous head kick that crumbled the Japanese MMA fighter for good.
Vera, who become the second Filipino to win a world title in Asia’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, improved his professional record to 15-7, while Sekine’s win-loss slate slid down to 7-1.
Aside from Vera, Filipino-Australian Bibiano Fernandes retained the ONE FC bantamweight belt with a split decision victory over Reece McLaren in the co-main event.
In other results, Filipino Mark Striegl scored a unanimous decision win over Sotir Kichokov, Honorio Banario defeated Singh Meena via submission, as Edward Kelly TKO’d Su Noto and Danny Kingad defeated Eugene Toquero via submission./PN
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