A Manila crowd already ecstatic at the return of One Championship to the Philippines reached a fever pitch, as two Filipinos left the arena with belts wrapped round their waists at the end of the evening.
In the main event, Filipino-American former Ultimate Fighting Championship light-heavyweight and heavyweight contender Brandon Vera successfully defended his One Championship heavyweight crown against Italy’s Mauro Cerilli. “The Truth” made his MMA return after two years away from combat sports, during which time he started an acting career. The ring rust, though, didn’t prevent him for clipping former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship heavyweight kingpin Cerilli on the chin with a well-timed left hook.