'Heroes of Honor' protagonists vow to put on a show

MANILA, Philippines — We're re still a couple of days away, and yet ONE Championship’s “Heroes of Honor” is already promising fireworks.

Kicking off with its usual pre-fight presser, the promotion, along with the card’s marquee names, teased the entertainment value that Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena will pack.

“This is a historic event, it’s the first time ONE uses a ring (for competition)” said bantamweight Kevin Belingon. “I really trained hard for this match and I’m very excited.”

“I’m happy that I’m going to compete against a tough fighter in Adrian Pang,” said Honorio Banario, also of the famed Team Lakay. “It’s gonna be an exciting bout,”  

Belingon takes on New York native Andrew Leone in the main event. Both fighters were previous challengers to champion Bibiano Fernandes, has reigned for years.

Banario, like his stablemate, is also coming off a string of four consecutive victories in ONE Championship. A 28-year-old lightweight, he seeks to keep the the grizzled veteran Pang of Australia in the losing column.

Also seeing action on Friday night is kickboxing great Giorgio Petrosyan, who will star in the inaugural “Super Series” which will feature varying martial arts style. 

"We want all the very best in the world to compete here,” said promotion founder Chatri Sidyodtong of the motivations behind the additional event. "I love all striking arts. ONE Championship has been so big now. So I said, what can we do to make the fans happier all over the world?”

"ONE Super Series is dedicating a ring where you will see all the beautiful striking arts of the world, but you'll also see mixed martial arts in there as well,” he continued.

The American-Italian Petrosyan, revered as many as the greatest active kickboxer, will lock horns with Thai Jo Nattawut.

The showpiece will feature a five-rope ring as the petridish of Asia’s best martial arts styles. The MMA fights will also be held there, according to the promotion.

Also in the card is Gina Iniong, who seeks to rebound from lackluster outing against contender Mei Yamaguchi. She tackles Jenny Huang in the undercard.

The event marks the 13th stop of ONE Championship in the country and its second in a total of four fight nights set at the capital for this year.