Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) heavyweight fighter Brandon Vera of the Philippines clobbers challenger Paul Cheng of Canada after knocking him out with a kick in the first round of their MMA Heavyweight World Championship bout dubbed One Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena at suburban Pasay city south of in Manila, Philippines, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Paul “Typhoon’’ Cheng just realized he wasn’t fit in the octagon after Filipino-American Brandon “The Truth’’ Vera knocked him out cold in their heavyweight title fight.
Vera’s wild kick to the jaw in just 26 seconds ended Cheng’s MMA career after the One Fighting Championship: Spirit of Champions late Saturday night at the MOA Arena.
“I’m officially retiring from MMA,’’ said Cheng, a Hollywood actor and stuntman, posted in his Facebook. “Two weeks of hard training and 72 hours notice definitely doesn’t cut it.’’
READ: Vera wins inaugural ONE FC heavyweight title
Cheng, who wound up with a professional record of 5-3, subbed at the eleventh hour for Chi Lewis Parry, Vera’s original opponent who failed to comply with OneFC’s medical requirements.
The Taiwanese-Canadian played the role of a Hun in the Night at the Museum trilogy and other films while he dabbled in the brutal sport.
Vera, who claimed OneFC’s first heavyweight title belt with the win in the five-rounder, was all business from the start.
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He opened the bout by wobbling Cheng with a counter left hook and then followed it up with a high kick that landed flush on the jaw for the KO.
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`This is my Christmas gift to you all my kababayans,’’ said Vera amid the raucous cheers of the pro-Filipino crowd. “You inspired me to train hard and deliver this win.’’
Wushu fighter Eugene Toquero was equally entertaining when he pulled off a technical knockout victory over previously unbeaten Li Wei Bin of China in their flyweight bout.
Known for his unorthodox striking techniques, Toquero pushed the offensive in the second round and battered his enemy, forcing Li to throw in the towel before the third round could even start.
READ: ONE FC: Julaton falls to Russian foe
Filipino-American Ana “Hurricane’’ Julaton, a former women’s boxing world champion, lost his bout Irina Mazepa of St. Petersburg, Russia. Mazepa, a kickboxing champion, was technically superior with her striking that bloodied Julaton’s nose to earn the unanimous nod of the judges.
Mark “Mugen’’ Striegl, another Filipino MMA star, also dropped his bantamweight contest after Australian Reece “Lightning’’ McLaren submitted the grappling specialist from Baguio City in the second round with rear naked choke.
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