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| Martin Nguyen will be making another title defense in the Philippines. Mike Romero (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--A new main event was announced for One: Dawn of Honor at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Aug. 2.
As announced by One Championship on Wednesday, Martin Nguyen will defend his One featherweight title against Koyomi Matsushima in a battle between an MMA veteran and a rising star in the sport.
This will be Nguyen's second consecutive title defense of his belt at the said venue, successfully defending it on April 13 against Narantungalang Jadambaa.
[Related Story: CHAMP AGAIN | Pacio retakes One strawweight belt with KO of Saruta]
Meanwhile, Matsushima has become a sensation just two matches into his One Championship stint.
Matsushima shocked the One community after a TKO win against former One champion Marat Gafurov at One: Conquest of Heroes on Sept. 22 in Jakarta.
The Japanese fighter then dominated South Korea's Kwon Won-Il in their encounter at One: Legendary Heroes in Shanghai on June 15, earning him the right to face Nguyen for the One featherweight belt.
Matsushima will be fighting in the Philippines for the first time in three years, or since he lost to Gab Dy at PXC 53 on April 8, 2016 at the Solaire Grand Ballroom in Paranaque.
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