MMA: Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito of Chiba, Japan Retains World Championship

One Championship returned to the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar on Friday evening for the third time this year.

One: State of Warriors brought fans up to the edge of their seats with mixed martial arts action from the absolute best in local and international MMA talent.

In the main event, Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito of Chiba, Japan successfully defended his One Strawweight World Championship with a gutsy victory over Joshua Pacio of Baguio City, Philippines’ famed Team Lakay MMA. Pacio tagged Naito repeatedly with accurate strikes, utilizing his world-class wushu sanshou skills to stifle the champion who tried for repeated takedowns. In the third round however, Naito came out of nowhere and was able to take Pacio down, secure his back and lock in a rear naked choke to force the tap.

“Definitely the happiest and the best fight ever. This is definitely my best fight. I just did what I came to do. I showed Myanmar what I can do, all my skills, and I won,” said Naito in the post-fight interview inside the cage.

Hometown hero “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang sent the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium crowd into a frenzy with a masterful striking and wrestling performance, defeating Michal Pasternak of Poland in a three-round middleweight bout. Aung peppered Pasternak with pinpoint combinations and very heavy blows for the duration of the bout as he stalked his larger opponent all throughout the cage. In the end, all three judges scored in favor of Aung for the unanimous decision victory.

“Myanmar wants the world championship title. Bigdash, you owe us that title!” said Aung in the post-fight interview inside the cage.

In the One Myanmar Featherweight Tournament Final, Phoe Thaw extended his win streak to four, remaining unbeaten by stopping fellow Myanmar fighter Saw Yan Paing in an entertaining scrap between local fighters. After a scramble for position on the ground, Thaw was able to end up in full mount and worked to finish the bout with ground-and-pound.

Wushu sanshou expert Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of Philippines engaged combat sambo world champion Muin Gafurov of Tajikistan in a high-level striking battle for three grueling rounds. Leg kicks played a huge factor for Belingon, who landed accurate strikes on the inside and on the outside. Gafurov looked to take Belingon down, but was unable to close the gap on his attempts. All three judges scored in favor of Belingon for the unanimous decision win.

Russian Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt Yusup Saadulaev executed an impressive submission on Australia’s Jordan Lucas in the first round of a bantamweight bout. After Lucas successfully thwarted Saadulaev’s takedowns in the opening minutes, the Russian fighter was finally able to take his younger opponent to the mat through repeated attempts. From side control, Saadulaev worked to secure a beautifully modified press-down rear naked choke.

Pakistani MMA pioneer Bashir Ahmad drew cheers from the crowd with an impressive quick submission victory over Egypt’s Mahmoud Mohamed. After Mohamed connected with a few strikes from range, Ahmad closed the gap and took his opponent to the ground where he secured a heel hook in round one, forcing the tap.

In the One Myanmar Featherweight Tournament alternate bout, Saw Ba Oo earned the second victory of his young professional mixed martial arts career by defeating Kyal Sin Phyo by unanimous decision.

Local fighters Saw Yan Paing and Ye Yint Aung went to battle for two tough rounds to the delight of the local fans who packed the stadium to the rafters. In the end, Saw Yan Paing was able to earn a unanimous decision after two rounds.

Local Myanmar fighters Phoe Thaw and Kat Pali climbed into the One Championship cage to kick off all the action at  One: State of Warriors. The undefeated Thaw spoiled Pali’s mixed martial arts debut by delivering a quick finish, winning by technical knockout just 22 seconds into the very first round.

Official Results for One: State of Warriors

One Strawweight World Championship: Yoshitaka Naito defeats Joshua Pacio by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:33 minutes of round 3.

Middleweight: Aung La N Sang defeats Michal Pasternak by Unanimous Decision (UD) after three rounds.

Featherweight: Phoe Thaw defeats Saw Yan Paing by TKO (Strikes) at 3:23 minutes of round 1.

Bantamweight: Kevin Belingon defeats Muin Gafurov by Unanimous Decision (UD) after three rounds.

Bantamweight: Yusup Saadulaev defeats Jordan Lucas by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:28 minutes of round 1.

Featherweight: Bashir Ahmad defeats Mahmoud Mohamed by Submission (Heel Hook) at 1:23 minutes of round 1.

Featherweight: Saw Ba Oo defeats Kyal Sin Phyo by Unanimous Decision (UD) after two rounds.

Featherweight: Saw Yan Paing defeats Ye Yint Aung by Unanimous Decision (UD) after two rounds.

Featherweight: Phoe Thaw defeats Kat Pali by TKO (Strikes) at 0:22 minutes of round 1.

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