Kairat Akhmetov-Adriano Moraes Title Unifier Rescheduled for Aug. 5 One Card in Macau
The loss of One Championship's “Conquest of Kings” card now means major gains for the promotion's next event.
Monday, the Asian-based MMA outfit announced that a 135-pound title unification rematch between Kairat Akhmetov and Adriano Moraes has been added to its “Kings and Conquerors” card, set for Aug. 5 at the Cotai Arena in Macau, China. With the contest being rescheduled, “Kings and Conquerors” is now a championship doubleheader, as Bibiano Fernandes is also scheduled to defend his 145-pound title against Andrew Leone.
The second clash between Ahkmetov and Moraes was originally
intended to headline
July 29's “Conquest of Kings” bill from Surabaya, Indonesia,
but One announced late last week that the card had been “postponed
until further notice” citing “logistical issues”. One has promoted
seven previous events in Indonesia, though all took place in
Jakarta. The promotion plans to return to Jakarta on Sept. 16 and
has promised four additional live Indonesian events this year.
Akhmetov and Moraes clashed for the first time at One's “Dynasty of Champions” in November 2015 with the undefeated Kazakh Akhmetov prevailing by split decision. Akhmetov, now 23-0, re-aggravated a pre-existing back injury in training and the 29-year-old hasn't competed since defeating Moraes 20 months ago.
Moraes, 28, bounced back with a first-round submission of Filipino fighter Eugene Toquero in May 2016, then choked out Kyrgyzstan's Tilek Batyrov to claim the One interim title last August.
One also announced a pair of other bout additions to “Kings and Conquerors,” as Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Leandro Issa returns to One to face Finland's Toni Tauru at 145 pounds, while 205-pounders Gilberto Galvao and Marcin Prachnio are also set to square off.
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