Batyrov replaces Leone as Moraes' opponent for interim belt

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--One Championship announced on Monday that Andrew Leone begged off from competition due to an undisclosed injury.

Leone was supposed to face off with Adriano Moraes for the interim One flyweight title at One: Heroes of the World at the Cotai Arena in Macau on Saturday.

[Related Story: Folayang set for One return as he leads four Filipinos in Macau event]

But the said injury forced One to give Tilek Batyrov a blockbuster debut in the MMA promotion.

The Kyrgyzstan-based fighter holds a 10-1 record, making him a suitable replacement for Leone against Moraes for the said belt.

The Moraes-Batyrov fight will still serve as the main event of One's first fight card in Macau highlighted by the return of Filipino MMA hero Eduard Folayang. It will also cap a full day of combat sports action that will kick off with a special BJJ tournament featuring reigning One champs Shinya Aoki and Angela Lee.

[Related Story: Angela Lee headlines One grappling event in Macau]

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