I am not a frequent traveler but I'd love to go to select places if given the right reason, and of course the right budget to spend. Those are the pre-requisites, right reason and with the right budget.
Having said that, I've always thought that travelling would be worthwhile if it is on my office's sponsored business trip or if it is on a holiday trip built on a special event like, say for example attending a friend's wedding at Viva Las Vegas Chapels.
This February 2, 2012 in Stadium Putra, Kuala Lumpur, a big time sporting event will be held by
One FC (ONE Fighting Championship) . It is the promotions 7th event and it's called "Return of Warriors".
It's never too early nor too late to plan for a holiday. Three of the Top Filipino Athletes will be competing in the most prestigious MMA promotion in Asia.
Eric Kelly vs. Honorio Banario
One FC Featherweight Championship of the World
Rey "The Punisher" Docyogen vs. Shinichi "BJ" Kojima
For the #1 Flyweight Contender
DETAIL/S and OPTION ON HOW, WHAT, WHEN & WHERE TO WATCH & SUPPORT OUR PINOY ATHLETES
2. http://www.airasia.com/sg/en/home.page (If you are flying Budget to KL from Singapore or Philippines)
http://www.kl-hotels.com/hotels/top10budget.htm (and a place to stay in KL)
OR
3. http://www.onefc.livesport.tv/ (Watch it Live via LIVESTREAM! Available Globally!)
The experts and fighters have their picks and we can read a lot of relevant and informative articles relative to this event, but here's my personal thoughts and picks on the fight card, with some pointers as to why I'm looking forward to seeing this event live in KL this February. Feel free to comment or message me if you want, I would love to have some MMA talk =).
Honorio Banario vs. Eric Kelly
I first saw Honorio Banario fight in 2011 at URCC Baguio 3 - Invasion where he defeated Iranian Seyed Razi Jabbari, although the events that happened in the ring just moments after that fight almost stole the thunder from Banario's emphatic win. The sore loser Jabarri attacked the referee and then all hell broke loose afterwards. Watch the video clip below, picked up the action at the end of that fight.
Here's the fight video between Eric Kelly vs. Mitch Chilson.
Aside from the main event, I am also stoked to witness these following match-ups:
Roy Docyogen vs. Shinichi Kojima for #1 Flyweight Contender.
- Needless to say, :) I am an unbiased MMA fan but I am rooting for Roy Docyogen to take care of business in this fight, and hope that either Gianni Subba or Andrew Leone will be the other contender for the Flyweight title in the next One FC event.
Vuyisile Colossa vs. Lowen Tynanes
- between the two, they have a common denominator with previous opponent in OneFC lightweight contender Eduard Folayang. The South African Colossa lost to Folayang in MC 12 in 2010 via a hard fought decision. While Tynanes just recently shocked Pinoy MMA fans in URCC dekada last Dec 1, 2012 by beating Folayang via TKO doctor's stoppage.
- This is an exciting match-up between a Wrestler and a Kickboxer, and I got the wrestler Tynanes winning this one. I think that his wrestling strength will be too much for Colossa to handle.
Peter Davis vs. Leo Krishna
- I'm interested in this because I thought the Philippine's Azkals football players were the only lucky human beings blessed with both athletic skills and good looks.
As OneFC says about their fighter, Actor-slash-Model Peter Davis: "With two ONE FC wins already, this Malaysian fighter has shown he is much more than just a pretty face"
- No Homo here :) but I just admire an Actor who have the guts to step into the cage so, I am rooting for Peter Davis on this one.
Gianni Subba vs. Saiful Merican
- Again, I am not biased, my pick on this is as per what I have personally witnessed on live action. And I got the privilege to witness the first ever "Full Pride rules" Soccer kick knockout blow in One FC history delivered by Gianni Subba on Bruce Loh at One FC 6. I hope Subba wins this and hopefully books a future shot at the Flyweight belt. I think that a future scrap between Subba and Docyogen will be an interesting fight.
ONE FC Return of Warriors Fight Card
(Photo source: ONE FC 7 Full Fight Card Released Including Rey “The Punisher” Docyogen vs. Shinichi “BJ” Kojima and Vuyisile Colossa vs. Lowen Tynanes mmaorient.net )
And it's not that I expect less from the other five, as MMA is always an exciting combat sport that features not only main events but the entire fight card as well. It's a complete packaged event featuring tough fighters and sexy ring girls :).
Add to that, a first time to see the Petronas Towers on a weekend break in Kuala Lumpur. All these summed-up together, and it more than satisfies one of my pre-requisites for travel. Now for the budget, it shouldn't be a problem. A return ticket of only S$71 promo fair on Air Asia budget airline can get me to-and-from SG to KL. And for our friends in the Philippines they can get a two-way ticket for as low as PHP5820 Promo Fare. With regards to accommodation there's lots of budget hotels to choose from. But I'm probably going to spend freely on food, so I'm not going into details of that here.
And since I like to plan ahead, I've saved up some breads from the Christmas holiday season, just so I can go to KL on February. And because I'm very generous, I have shared some useful links below for your convenience.
for FLIGHT BOOKING : http://www.airasia.com/sg/en/home.page
for EVENT TICKETS: http://www.airasiaredtix.com/Events/OneFightingChampionship2013/
for BUDGET HOTELS: http://www.kl-hotels.com/hotels/top10budget.htm
All of the above information are per my own personal preference for a budget but solid MMA weekend in KL. You can always pick your airline or hotel of choice, what matters is that there is only one big event.
And finally, just for the benefit of our friends who can not make it to the Live venue, don't worry, you can also catch the action Live by subscribing on this link: http://www.onefc.livesport.tv/
To our dear friends and fellow MMA fans, let's go have a good time in KL on February 2!