Akihiro Fujisawa, Yuji Shimada, Kaji Ebin

On April 20, 2018, the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines was filled with combat sports fans from all over the world. They witnessed the historic event of ONE Championship titled “ONE: Heroes of Honor” where both its new league called ONE Super Series and its five-rope ring made their debut.

The first bout on the main card was between Kaji “Alpha” Ebin of Philippines and Akihiro “Superjap” Fujisawa of Japan. The two competed in the catchweight division of the mixed martial arts card.

Referee Yuji Shimada put a stop to the catchweight bout between Ebin and Fujisawa at 1:48 of Round 1 when Ebin tapped out verbally due to shoulder injury. Fujisawa, who was clueless at first, was declared the winner making him still an undefeated MMA fighter.

“ONE: Heroes of Honor” marked Ebin’s ONE Championship debut and his second professional MMA bout. He made his professional MMA debut on October 22, 2016 at “Dynasty Fights 2” where he submitted Patrick Ian Leondes via rear-naked choke.

Like Ebin, Fujisawa also made his promotional debut at “ONE: Heroes of Honor.” He made his professional MMA debut at “Rings- The Outsider” against Shunta Nakamura but the bout ended as a draw via split.

While Ebin now has 1 win and 1 loss, Fujisawa has 3 wins and 1 draw. The first two fighters defeated by the Japanese fighter were Chan Samart and Jirawat Aunjai.

Meanwhile, in the main event of the MMA card, Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of the Philippines battled it out with Andrew Leone of the United States in the bantamweight division. The Filipino fighter knocked out his American opponent at 1:27 of Round 2.

In the main event of the ONE Super Series card, Giorgio Petrosyan, an Armenian kickboxer based in Italy, competed against Thai Muay Thai star “Smokin” Jo Nattawut of Thailand in a kickboxing bout in the 76 kg division. After three five-minute rounds, the judges declared the Armenian-Italian fighter as the winner via unanimous decision.

Watch a clip from the bout between Ebin and Fujisawa at “ONE: Heroes of Honor” here: