Asian MMA heavyweight ONE Championship has kicked off its new–look super series in supreme style in Manila.
The "Heroes of Honour" event carried four 'striking only' bouts and took place in a five-roped ring rather than its traditional cage.
It marks the debut of an innovative new brand of hybrid cards which will blend MMA with the full gamut of martial arts, including the likes of Karate and Kung-Fu.
Saturday's (NZT) card showcased Italian kickboxing legend Giorgio Petrosyan, who made light work of Thailand's "Smokin" Jo Nattawut in a three-round encounter.
The multiple-time world champion displayed a complete arsenal of strikes on his way to an emphatic points victory.
The second such bout featured New Zealand's own Brad Riddell, who was unable to make his mark against Regian Eersel. The Dutchman denied "Quake" any opportunity to get his offence going, earning a unanimous decision win.
The ancient art of Muay Thai also took pride of place in the Philippines capital, with highly-decorated Nong-O Gaiyanghadao and Frenchman Fabio Pinca trading blows in a scintillating to-and-fro contest.
The momentum swung back-and-forth throughout the bout but it was the Thai who ultimately came out on top in a highly-technical, tactical duel.
Meanwhile, Cosmo Alexandre scored a show-stopping knock-out against Elliot Compton in the second Muay Thai bout of the evening. A deft spinning elbow by the Brazilian signalled the start of the ending for Compton, unleashing in the clinch to end the Australian's night early.
While the new flavours undoubtedly shone brightly in the Philippines capital, the main event was reserved for MMA fighters Andrew Leone and local hero Kevin Belingon.
"The Silencer" delivered in spades for the vocal partisan crowd inside the Mall of Asia, finishing the Bali MMA product with a highlight-reel spinning sidekick and an ensuing assault of ground and pound strikes.
The promotion now makes its way to Indonesia where Jakarta hosts 'Grit and Glory', featuring a strawweight title fight between champion Alex Silva and Japan's Yoshitaka Naito.
It also includes four more Super Series bouts, headlined by a kickboxing duel between seasoned professionals Sergej Maslobojev and Antonio Plazibat.
Newshub.
