Singapore-based MMA promotion ONE Championship has announced a trio of big fights for their 10th-anniversary card on December 5th, including an exhibition bout between former UFC Champion Demetrious Johnson and prolific Muay Thai aficionado Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Johnson and Rodtang will compete under a special ruleset that shifts between MMA and Muay Thai rules in each round. While the first and third rounds of the four-round contest will happen under Muay Thai rules, the second and fourth rounds will take place under the promotion’s MMA rules.
ONE’s MMA gloves will be used for all rounds, and each round will be three minutes long.
Johnson is coming off his first loss in ONE, which was a title shot against Adriano Moraes in April. He had previously picked up three wins since joining the promotion in 2019.
Rodtang is ONE’s 135-pound Muay Thai Champion. He has gone undefeated in the promotion since joining their roster in 2018.
145-Pound MMA Champ Fernandes To Return Against Lineker
Two-time 145-pound champ Bibiano Fernandes will make his return on the card, facing former UFC fighter John Lineker in a five-round title fight.
Fernandes has been a champion in ONE for most of his career. His first stint as champ came to a close in 2018, as Kevin Belingon pulled off a split decision victory over him. He avenged that loss in two fights the next year, stopping Belingon in two different bouts and regaining his championship.
Lineker will be wagering his undefeated run in ONE with the title fight. He has picked up three victories since joining the promotion in 2019. He scored a first-round stoppage in his last showing, finishing Troy Worthen within punches earlier this year.
Undefeated Tonon To Challenge 155-Pound Champ Le
155-pound MMA title holder Thanh Le will face an undefeated challenger for the first time in ONE when fighting grappling expert Garry Tonon.
Tonon’s entire six-fight pro career has taken place in the ONE cage. Since his 2018 debut, Tonon has secured five submission wins and a decision victory late last year over Koyomi Matsushima.
Le will be looking to defend his belt for the first time. He dethroned previous champ Martin Nguyen last year, stopping him in the third round of a bout with strikes. The victory continued his career-long streak of not going the distance in a fight.
Updated Card
Bout 3: Demetrious Johnson vs. Rodtang Jitmuangnon (Exhibition MMA/Muay Thai Bout)
Bout 2: Bibiano Fernandes (24-4) vs. John Lineker (34-9) (ONE MMA Bantamweight Championship) (145 lbs)
Bout 1: Thanh Le (12-2) vs. Garry Tonon (6-0) (ONE MMA Featherweight Championship) (155 lbs)
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