TOKYO, Japan—Two-division champion Aung La N Sang retained his ONE middleweight world title on Sunday after knocking out Ken Hasegawa in their rematch in ONE: A New Era at Ryogoku Kokugikan here.
But before he could even step outside of the cage, a new challenger already awaits, this time for his light heavyweight belt.
🚨 IT'S ON 🚨
Aung La N Sang accepts Brandon Vera's challenge for the ONE Light Heavyweight World Title! @AungLANsang @Verafied #WeAreONE #ANewEra #Tokyo #MartialArts pic.twitter.com/03gPlbzj6D
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) March 31, 2019
Shortly after delivering a second-round stoppage of Hasegawa, Aung La was joined by Vera in the cage where “The Truth” issued his challenge to the Burmese hero.
Aung La accepted Vera’s proposition and ONE founder, chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong immediately gave his go-signal.
“Let’s get it on,” Sityodtong said, prompting a roar from the crowd.
A slimmed down Brandon Vera says he’s moving down in weight to challenge Aung La Naang for the ONE light heavyweight world title. | @MarkGiongcoINQ pic.twitter.com/KbHstUUlLw
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 31, 2019
Vera hasn’t faced any worthy competition since his move to ONE Championship and Aung La would certainly give him what he lacks.
The 41-year-old Vera captured the inaugural heavyweight title in 2015 and he’s only defended it twice against overmatched opponents in Hideki Sekine and Mauro Cerilli.
Vera demolished Sekine and Cerilli in just one round.
Aung La N Sang retains his ONE Middleweight World Title with a HUGE knockout of Ken Hasegawa at 4:41 of Round 2 👊 @AungLANsang #WeAreONE #ANewEra #Tokyo #MartialArts pic.twitter.com/5qL2Opxew8
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) March 31, 2019