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Chinese flyweight Yang Jian Bing, the supposed opponent for Filipino fighter Geje Esutaquio, died on Friday afternoon due to undetermined reasons. He was 21.
ONE Championship CEO Victor Cui announced the tragic news Cui said in a statement posted on ONE’s Facebook account.
“There is nothing more profoundly tragic and sad than when a member of the ONE Championship family, current or past, passes away. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Yang Jian Bing. We will work closely with the family and offer all the support they need in any way we can during this very difficult time,”
Yang, who had a 5-1 (1 NC) MMA record. was scheduled to fight Eustaquio on Friday’s ONE FC: Spirit of Champions event at Mall of Asia Arena Friday night, but the bout was scrapped the day before as the Chinese slugger was suffering from severe dehydration and suspected heat stroke, ONE also said.
The event will still push through with Brandon Vera facing late replacement Paul Cheng in the night’s main event for the first-ever ONE FC Heavyweight Championship.