"Sapo" makes One return in Jakarta

One Championship (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

JAKARTA--Luis Santos will begin his road to redemption as he will make his One Championship comeback on Feb. 20.

The Brazilian veteran known by his nickname "Sapo" battles Portuguese standout Rafael Silva in the main event of the fight card dubbed as "Tribe of Warriors" at the Istora Senayan.

Santos, who missed out on two chances to take the One welterweight title from Ben Askren, will try to get back in the championship picture, and it will start with the battle against Silva.

Santos and Askren's first meeting on April 24 in Pasay was declared a no-contest after the champion accidentally poked the challenger's eye, making him unable to continue.

Their rematch was scheduled in November in Singapore, but Santos entered the weigh-in heavier than the 170-pound limit, effectively canceling the fight.

It later led to a series of finger pointing on who did not want the rematch to happen immediately after it was revealed that it was supposed to take place as early as June.

Now, Santos will face another MMA veteran in Silva in his quest to regain a shot at Askren's belt.

In the co-main event, Vincent Latoel of the Netherlands takes on Japan's Kotetsu Boku.

Meanwhile, three Filipinos are scheduled for the said One fight card with two of them eyeing to get back on the winning track.

Trestle Tan, who lost his last two matches, will lock horns with unbeaten Indonesian-Mexican foe Djatmiko Waluyo, while Jimmy Yabo, another fighter with a recent string of defeats, will clash with Pakistan's Bashir Ahmad.

Meanwhile, former boxer Rocky Batolbatol makes his One Championship debut against Anthony Engelen.

"'One: Tribe of Warriors' is set to bring out the best in our local and international One superstars, and we’re excited to give fans another evening of electrifying mixed martial arts action,” One's CEO Victor Cui described what to expect in the said fight card.

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