Julaton bows to Russian rival

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Ana Julaton absorbed a heartbreaking loss by unanimous decision to Russian Irina Mazepa in a flyweight bout in ONE Championship’s “Spirit of Champions” at the MOA Arena in Pasay last night.

Julaton, a WBO and IBA super bantamweight champion in boxing, fell to her second defeat in as many wins in four fights in ONE Championship, dealing a big blow to her title bid.

Julaton won her first MMA match against Aya Saeid Saber via TKO (punches and elbows) in Rise of Heroes here in the country, lost to Ana Osman in Reign of Champions in Dubai and won against over Walaa Abas Mohamed Kamaly in Warriors Way also last year.

And then she ran into Mazepa.

The Russian nailed her second win after she knocked out Osman, the same fighter who bested Julaton, in Tigers of Asia in Malaysia early this year.

In the first fight of the evening, Christian Lee knocked out David Meak with a smashing first round victory.

Filipinos Mark Streigl and Brandon Vera were scheduled to fight at press time last night.

Streigl was paired against Reece McLaren, while Vera, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter, was up against Paul Cheng.

The One Championship was marred yesterday with the death of Chinese fighter Yang Jiang Bing due to complications allegedly caused by his attempt to make the weight cut, hours before his scheduled fight.

ONE chief Victor Cui confirmed Yang’s death in an official statement on his Facebook page where he offered prayers to the fallen Chinese fighter and his family.

Yang was supposed to face Filipino Geje Eustaquio in ONE “Spirit of Champions” fight card but didn’t make the weigh-in before he was rushed to the San Juan De Dios Hospital in Pasay City.

“This is nothing more profoundly tragic and sad than when a member of the ONE Championship family, current or past, passes away,” said Cui.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Yang Jiang 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,” he added.

Cui said the cause of death is “still being determined.”

Yang was rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital after he collapsed before the official weigh-in at the City of Dreams.

In a ONE Championship press statement, cardiopulmonary failure was the cause of his death.

He was 21.

Yang competed in ONE flyweight division and last saw action last June 20.