Asia’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion is returning to Indonesia for “ONE FC: Kojima vs Leone,” which is set for the Istora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta on Sept. 13 and will feature two top flyweights going head-to-head in the main event.
Shinichi Kojima (13-5-5) is a former shooto champion who held the Japanese organization’s 123lbs (55.8kg) belt for four years before having to give it up due to a serious knee injury. He has been the No. 1 fighter at that weight for much of his decade-long career and is an early frontrunner for the ONE FC flyweight title.
The Japanese veteran is facing an opponent 11 years his junior in up-and-coming contender Andrew Leone (6-2). The American is a former state wrestling champion from New York City who is rapidly making a name for himself in Asia.
Photo: Courtesy of ONE FC
Both fighters earned their spot on the main event of this show, which will be witnessed by 15,000 fans in Jakarta and screened live all over Asia by Star Sports, courtesy of impressive wins over Filipinos, with Leone outpointing Geje Euataquio in May and Kojima submitting Rey Docyogen in February.
The co-main event sees two hard-hitting lightweights go head-to-head as former ONE FC 155lbs (70.3kg) champion Kotetsu Boku (20-8-2) takes on Muay Thai world champion Vuyisile Colossa (5-4). Boku is a Japanese veteran who has heavy hands and an iron chin, while Colossa is a South African stand-up specialist with some devastating knees and leg kicks.
The card also sees the return of unbeaten light heavyweight Jake Butler (2-0), a Princeton graduate who made headlines all over the world after deciding to give up his job on Wall Street and travel to Asia to pursue his MMA dreams.
ONE FC has put on successful events in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines this year and CEO Victor Cui says he is excited to see his organization returning to Jakarta for the first time since last year.
“This stacked fight card is sure to get the adrenaline pumping for the passionate Indonesian fight fans. Two of the top flyweights in Asia square off in front of 15,000 screaming fans in the main event of the evening, and adding fan favorites Kotetsu Boku and Jake Butler on this card is icing on the cake. The thousands of fans in attendance and the millions watching around the world are in for another evening of world-class MMA featuring the best in Asia,” he said.
The undercard of ONE FC: Kojima vs Leone will be available to view online free of charge, with the remainder of the fight broadcast live by Star Sports.
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