MMA: Banario, Belingon, Docyogen to go toe-to-toe against Japanese foes for ONE FC: Rise to Power

 

Japan has been the hotbed of Asian mixed martial arts (MMA) for the longest time. Because of their rich martial arts history, Japanese fighters are well-prepared for MMA battles, may it be inside a cage or a ring. A lot of Japanese MMA fighters have captured the attention of the world since the explosion of the sport. Fighters like Tsuyoshi Kosaka and “The Gracie Hunter” Kazushi Sakuraba paved the way for the Japanese combatants to be given worldwide recognition. Now, names such as Shinya Aoki, Takanori Gomi, and Yushin Okami walk the path that their predecessors have blazed. The Philippines does not have the long history of MMA like Japan. Filipinos have been more enamored with the sport of boxing for the longest time but the past few years have seen a distinct change. Filipino MMA fighters want the attention that is being given to Japanese fighters and victories for Banario, Belingon, and Docyogen are crucial for that step. For decades, Japan has been the hub for Asian MMA, with events attracting up to 40,000 people during its heyday. However, the Philippines is slowly turning out to be one of the Asian countries most thirsty for MMA action. ONE FC’s first event in the Philippines attracted 16,523 paying patrons and ONE FC: Rise to Power is expected to eclipse that record. The upcoming event at the SM MOA Arena is likely to draw an attendance that is the largest in recent years, with 20,000 expected to be in attendance. While this will be the first time facing an opponent from the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ for featherweight champion Honorio Banario, both Belingon and Docyogen have been bested by Japanese opponents in the past. Belingon succumbed to a patented leglock from submission expert Masakazu Imanari last March while Docyogen was caught in a guillotine choke by Shinichi Kojima earlier this year.   Coincidentally, both losses came at their respective ONE FC debuts and  handed the Filipino fighters their first professional defeat. When they step into the ring on May 31st, Banario, Belingon, and Docyogen won’t just be fighting for personal glory. They will fight to represent Team Lakay and the entire Philippines against Asia’s top MMA nation as of the moment. - CLP/AMD, GMA News