Kazunori Yokota Aims to Redeem Himself with Win Over Australian Foe

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It is very rare for a debuting fighter to receive a title shot in his maiden fight under a particular mixed martial arts (MMA) organization’s banner, but this was the case when Japanese stalwart Kazunori Yokota made his first appearance in ONE Championship.

Yokota was on ONE Championship’s radar for a long time as he is an MMA fixture in his home-country with over 12 years of prizefighting experience under his belt.

In addition, Yokota is even considered as one of the toughest Asian featherweight competitors as he has constantly punished his opponents and grinded out 25 impressive victories in his 34-bout career.

It was a no-brainer that Yokota would have a crack at the coveted ONE Featherweight World Championship belt when he inked a lucrative multi-fight deal with Asia’s largest MMA promotion.

Riding high on an impressive 13-fight winning streak in the Japanese MMA circuit, Yokota earned a date with Russian combatant Marat Gafurov for the gold-plated strap in May 2016.

Although he was a highly-touted veteran from “The Land of the Rising Sun,” it did not quite go as planned for Yokota as he bowed down to Gafurov by way of second-round submission.

Yokota seeks to erase the painful memory of his ONE Championship debut at the expense of Australian standout Martin Nguyen.

Both men are scheduled to square off against each other in the co-headliner of ONE: QUEST FOR POWER, which takes place at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta, Indonesia on 14 January.

Manila-Based Heavyweight Igor Subora Seeks Career Revitalization in Upcoming Bout

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ukrainian fighter Igor Subora sees his upcoming three-round encounter with Sherif “The Shark” Mohamed as an opportunity to bring back the luster of his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career.

Both highly-decorated combatants are set to collide on the undercard of ONE: QUEST FOR POWER, which takes place at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta, Indonesia on 14 January.

Subora is one of the few foreign nationals who opted to make a run for the money and compete professionally in the Philippines.

Although he acquired his Combat Sambo pedigree overseas, Subora decided to train as an MMA competitor when he migrated to the country in 2008, honing his skills in neighboring gyms around Metro Manila.

Subora remarkably conquered the local MMA scene in the Philippines, attaining four first-round knockouts and one submission victory.

In addition, Subora captured a local MMA promotion’s heavyweight championship belt by way of a 49-second knockout in 2011 and reigned for three years with ease.

His success in the Philippine MMA circuit led him to be noticed by ONE Championship, which is widely regarded as the largest MMA organization in the Asia region.

Despite his triumphant run in the local ranks, he struggled to translate it in his first two ONE Championship assignments.

History Asia To Premiere TV Special “President Obama: In His Own Words”

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the transition of power for the President of the United States of America to take place in a matter of days, HISTORY interrupts its regular programming to bring to Asia its two-hour TV special on the outgoing commander-in-chief, “President Obama: In His Own Words”.

Reflecting on his historic presidency; President Obama shares his thoughts on where the country was when he was elected, where it is now, and where he sees it going under his successor's command.

Comprising two interviews conducted before and after the 2016 Presidential election, “President Obama: In His Own Words” is the President's first-hand account of his time in office - his successes, his failures, his unfinished business - and what he hopes will be his legacy.

Also included are additional interviews with members of his staff including Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, Congress, and the press, to make for a unique examination of the Obama presidency from the inside out, and a profound and candid historical record that will stand for generations.

As the 44th President of the United States of America, Obama was the first African-American to be elected to the office. Among the work he will be remembered for, Obama signed into law various economic stimulus legislation; the contentious "Obamacare"; changes to domestic financial regulations; and enabled LGBT individuals to serve in the US Armed Forces. In foreign policy, Obama ended US military involvement in the Iraq War; signed the arms control treaty with Russia, ordered US military involvement against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya; and ordered the operation that killed Osama bin Laden.

During his second term, Obama promoted domestic gun control and called for greater inclusiveness for LGBT Americans. In foreign policy, Obama ordered US military intervention to ISIL; reduced US combat operations in Afghanistan; promoted discussions to the 2015 Paris Agreement on global climate change; brokered a nuclear deal with Iran; and normalized US relations with Cuba.

The outgoing President was the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his efforts to promote nuclear non-proliferation and a fostering a new climate in international relations, especially in reaching out to the Muslim world.

HISTORY is available on Sky Cable Ch 67; Cable Link Ch 43; Dream Satellite Ch 30; Destiny Cable Ch 57; and Cignal Ch 125. HISTORY HD is available on Sky Cable Ch 165.