There were some big names from the MMA world on the ONE Warrior Series 5 card. But the biggest winner of all was a man who is better known for his exploits inside the Muay Thai ring.
Carlos Prates is Brazilian but has been based in Phuket for several years. He went up against EFC welterweight champion Gunther Kaluda in Singapore, one of a plethora of title holders on this particular card.
Prates came out in the classic Muay Thai stance, looking to use his reach but Kalunda wasted no time in taking him down with a sweep. The African looked to attack from the top position but soon found himself defending an armbar attempt.
Prates was on the bottom but was very active with submission attempts and was trying for a triangle when the round ended. At the start of the second stanza the Brazilian landed several hard body kicks.
Prates responded with a right hand which seemed to catch the Brazilian off balance, knocking him backwards. The fighters were stood up and Kalunda attacked with a three punch combination.
Some clinching ensued and the two men traded knees. Moments later it became clear that Prates had got the better of this exchange, with Kalunda quitting after seemingly being hurt by a shot to the body.
It was a very impressive win for the Brazilian who becomes the first man to ever defeat Kalunda. He improves to 9-4 and is riding a four fight winning streak while his opponent drops to 5-1.
Earlier in the night Road FC flyweight champion Min Jong Song (10-7) faced off against BAMMA bantamweight champion Alan Philpott (17-11). It was the former who emerged victorious, courtesy of a second round neck crank.
ONE Hero Series 5, Singapore, April 25th
Carlos Prates def. Gunther Kalunda by TKO in round two
Ahmed Faez Anuar def. Pardeep Kumar by Submission (Armbar) in round two
Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg def. Chan Samart by Decision
Jerry Olsim def. Hiroyasu Sakurai by Decision
Min Jong Song def. Alan Philpott by Submission (Neck Crank) in round two
Punnya Sai def. Shafkat Khodzhkulov by Decision
Kieran Joblin def. JD Hardwick by TKO in round three
Kristy Obst def. Claudia Diaz by TKO in round two
Ricky Alchin def. Koji Shikuwa by Decision
Mohamad Norhidayat def. Sanya Kongkatonk by Submission
Ismael Bandiwan def. Arif Izzudin by TKO at the end of round two
Neha Kashyap def. Roshnee Khaira by Knockout in round one
Yuko Suzuki def. Ji Yeon Seo by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in round one
Philip Kim def. Taeho Bak by submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Round 3
© photo by David Ash / Singapore Maven
