MMA legends gather in Tokyo for historic ONE: New Era fight week

TOKYO, Japan—There’s no shortage of star power during ONE Championship’s press conference for its upcoming spectacle here.

Some of the biggest names in the mixed martial arts scene aligned on Thursday, three days before ONE’s inaugural show in Japan unfurls.

WATCH: The legend Vitor Belfort in the flesh! #ONENewEra | @MarkGiongcoINQpic.twitter.com/OWOxrMpVZQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 28, 2019

Legendary fighters Demetrious Johnson, Eddie Alvarez, Vitor Belfort and even Rafael dos Anjos were all in attendance at Ritz-Carlton hotel in downtown Tokyo.

Media presence was also overwhelming with journalists from all over the world present in the event.

Media madness. #ONENewEra @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/nr8DH5dYjg

— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) March 28, 2019

The ONE: A New Era fight card features four world title fights with Filipino superstar Eduard Folayang defending his lightweight belt in a title rematch against Japanese MMA icon Shinya Aoki in the main event.

The fighters at Thursday’s ONE: New Era press con at Ritz Carlton Hotel in Tokyo. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

Angela Lee, the women’s atomweight champion, is also fighting in the co-main event as she shoots for Xiong Jing Nan’s strawweight strap.

Look who’s also here for the #ONENewEra presser. Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos bringing more star power here in Tokyo. Is he signing with ONE as well? 🤔 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/TqTW1uPoja

— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) March 28, 2019

Johnson and Alvarez, meanwhile, are making their keenly-awaited debuts for ONE Championship as they compete in the Flyweight and Lightweight World Grand Prix, respectively.

Another Filipino in Kevin Belingon is putting his bantamweight title on the line against Bibiano Fernandes as the two rivals complete their trilogy.

To complete the championship bouts, Myanmar’s pride Aung La N Sang is staking his middleweight crown against Japan’s Ken Hasegawa.