YANGON, Myanmar—Good thing Jomary Torres won over Nita Dea by unanimous decision at ONE: Hero’s Dream held at Thuwunna Indoor Stadium here last Friday evening. Because three other Filipino MMA fighters—Eugene Toquero, Jeremy Miado and Burn Soriano—all lost their matches.
In their three-round atomweight contest Torres doggedly stuck to her game plan, lunging forward to take down her opponent. From a half mount Torres struck at Dea through ground and pound. Though unable to inflict significant damage her aggressiveness and numerous takedowns were enough to give Torres the unanimous decision victory.
Three other Filipino fighters were not so lucky.
Muay Thai specialist Toquero could not withstand the persistent takedown attempts of China’s “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin. With seconds to go in the first round Ma caught Toquero in an arm bar forcing the Filipino to tap out.
Meanwhile, Miado and Soriano both gassed out in their fights.
Pongsiri Mitsatit of Thailand traded long distance strikes against Miado. The Marikina resident Miado tried to negate his opponent’s striking by taking the fight to the ground. This proved costly as Miado tired and lost by verbal tap out in the second round.
Soriano’s loss was the most bitter. “Rock Man” Chen Lei of China took early control of the match through his powerful strikes. Soriano countered by grabbing Chen and flinging him to the ground. The two grappled on the ground. Soriano eventually locked in an arm bar and was on the verge of forcing a submission when Chen was saved by the bell.
In the second the two traded strikes at the center of the cage early in the round. Later in the round Chen pushed the tired Soriano into the mat, mounted him and stopped the Filipino with ground and pound. Reuel Vidal
