Cebuano MMA Fighter Gets Slot in ONE Championship

Cebuano mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Trestel Tan’s wish a year ago to see action in Asia’s biggest MMA stage, the ONE Championship, has become a reality.

Tan has been booked in the upcoming ONE Championship show at the Gymnasium of National Olympic Sports Centre in Beijing, China on Saturday night.

Tan steps in as a last-minute replacement against Taiwanese prospect Jeff Huang in a rematch.

“Finally, I’m here already,” Tan said.

“His opponent pulled out and I stepped in as a replacement with just a week’s notice. I accepted it without hesitation because this is my dream,” he said.

Tan said he applied for ONE Championship and after seeing his video against Huang, he got the fight.

Tan fought Huang in May and knocked him out in just nine seconds in a PRO FC bout after a barrage of punches.

“My game plan is to trade with him because I believe in my power. But if he takes the fight down to ground then I won’t let myself be beaten because I, too, have a ground game. I want to end this fight in just a single round,” said the part-time MMA fighter and full-time fitness trainer.

Tan, based in Malaysia, suffered a first round round arm triangle submission defeat in the hands of Pedro Paulino in June.

Huang, on the other hand, hasn’t fought since losing to Tan. But before that loss, he won his last four fights.

Tan is 3-4, while Huang is 5-2.

“I’m so excited that I have reached my dreams. I will show everybody that there is a Cebuano that is talented. Finally I’m here, I want to ask the support of my fellow Cebuanos,” said Tan. (PNA) LAP/EB/MP/RSM