Ana Julaton. PHILBOXING.COM PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino-American and former two-time world boxing champion Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton had a rousing MMA debut after stopping Aya Saeid Saber in the undercard of One FC: Rise of Heroes Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 33-year-old Julaton, a former WBO and IBA super bantamweight titleholder in the boxing ring, scored a third-round stoppage over her Egyptian foe.
Julaton, born and raised in San Francisco, California, got the golden opportunity she was looking for—gaining a full mount—before pummeling the taller Saber before with heavy blows that prompted the referee to stop the fight with 59 seconds remaining in the third round.
As impressive as Julaton looked in her first action inside the cage, she nearly didn’t make it to the third round after Saber was primed to make her tap on a chokehold.
But refusing to quit, Julaton was able to come through and finish the fight in the ensuing round.
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