Vera, Fernandes ready to defend ONE titles

Brandon Vera, middle, shares a laugh with the media during a luncheon Tuesday at Vikings Mall of Asia. Vera headlines ONE: Age of Domination when he puts his heavyweight title on the line against undefeated Hideki Sekine on Friday night at Mall of Asia Arena. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

ONE heavyweight Brandon Vera and bantamweight titleholder Bibiano Fernandes looked good to go three days away from their world title defenses as they headline One: Age of Domination Friday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Vera and Fernandez were made available to the media on Tuesday during a luncheon at Vikings Mall of Asia.

“I’m ready to fight and defend my title. Training has gone great. I’m excited to step back inside the ONE Championship cage,” said Vera. “I love the Philippines, this is my home. I’m here to help all of our Filipino fighters. I’m going to make sure I won’t be the last Filipino heavyweight world champion.”

Vera is putting his belt on the line for the first time against Hideki Sekine, who boasts a 7-0 record, in the main event.

In the co-featured fight, Fernandes hopes to continue his winning ways when he takes on Fil-Australian Reece McLaren.

“I’m ready to fight and defend my title. Training has gone great. I’m excited to step back inside the ONE Championship cage,” said the Brazilian jiujitsu expert.

Fernandes is on an 11-fight streak and hasn’t lost since 2011.

“I’ve competed all across the globe against the world’s best fighters, but even though I am a world champion, I feel I am still constantly improving,” said the 36-year-old Fernandes. “Martial arts is a continued pursuance of self-improvement and greatness. As long as I continue to improve and take on the biggest challenges, I am happy. Reece McLaren is the latest challenge and I am ready to face him.”

Apart from the two champions, McLaren and homegrown fighters Danny Kingad and Eugene Toquero, who are set for a flyweight clash, were also present during the event.