On Friday, 12 April, ONE Championship brought its latest blockbuster spectacle to Manila, Philippines.
Not only did the two World Title bouts at ONE: Roots Of Honor live up to the hype, but the entire card offered plenty of highlights from beginning to end.
Truly, “action-packed” may be an understatement to describe the show, as 11 of the 15 bouts from the Mall Of Asia Arena did not go to the judges’ scorecards.
Here are just four of the best highlights from an unforgettable night.
#1 Niko Soe Wins Big For Singapore
After two years on the sidelines, Singapore’s Niko Soe made his return to ONE with a masterful performance against Indonesia’s Eko Roni Saputra.
It was a battle between products of two top martial arts gyms in Singapore, with Soe training at Impact MMA and Saputra finding a home at Evolve MMA, and both athletes did not disappoint.
Saputra showed the skills that led to him becoming an Indonesian national wrestling champion in his professional mixed martial arts debut, while Soe displayed no signs of rust in his return.
The Singaporean had to battle hard to get back to his feet early, but once he did, he timed Saputra’s aggressive attack with a thunderous elbow, which cut his opponent’s forehead.
After a thorough inspection, the doctor deemed the Indonesian unable to continue and awarded the win to Soe.
#2 Evolve’s Leandro Issa Is Back In The Winner’s Circle
Leandro “Brodinho” Issa restarted his quest for bantamweight gold with an impressive victory over the streaking Chinese athlete Fu Chang Xin.
Evolve’s Issa took the match to the ground early, where he used his third-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt skills to perfection. He worked his way to a tight-looking armbar which had Fu, and probably everyone watching, grimacing in pain.
Despite showing tremendous heart and determination to get out of the hold, he could not stop “Brodinho” from resetting the technique, and was forced to tap at the 3:03 mark of the first round.
The impressive victory will certainly boost Issa’s confidence as he looks to return to the ONE Bantamweight World Title picture.
#3 Joshua Pacio’s Head Kick Heard Around The World
Joshua “The Passion” Pacio Recovers the Strawweight Crown
In a story that felt like a blockbuster sequel, Spaniard Joshua Pacio took the ONE Strawweight title back from Japan’s Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta in a showdown that was everything but dull.
What Went Down
- The two champions began the fight with guns blazing, each one aiming for an instant knockout.
- The opening three rounds were a masterclass in tactical feints—both fighters pulled a few moves, but neither fell far enough to give the other any real advantage.
- It was in the fourth round, though, that Pacio turned the tables.
That Head Kick Moment
At 2:43 into the fourth round, Pacio landed a razor‑sharp head kick, grazing the “Ninja” right over his temple. The impact was so precise that Saruta was out on the canvas instantly—a knockout that left the crowd gasping and the rest of the strawweight division shaking.
Why It Matters
This finish sends a loud, unmistakable message to every fighter in the division: Pacio is still the top dog. It’s not just a title change; it’s a headlining reminder of his power and timing.
For fans who love fighting drama, Pacio’s return to the gold ring was exactly the kind of headline‑making, heart‑pounding action that keeps the sport alive.
Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen Finally Shows Why He’s the Real King of Featherweight
When the Mongolian titan Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa stepped into the ring, he was thinking he’d bring his own brand of power to the fight. Instead, it was Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen who delivered a knockout blow that whispered, “You’re in my turf now.”
The Story Behind the Big Finish
- Round 1: Jadambaa tried to rip through with firepower, but Nguyen stayed sharp, keeping his eye on a crucial spot – the leg.
- Round 2: Nguyen hit his target. The leg didn’t take it, and Jadambaa stumbled once his balance hit a snag.
- Meltdown: Nguyen sprang from the ground and delivered a jaw‑crushing jumping knee that sent a resounding KO message across the venue.
With a resounding knock‑out, Nguyen not only wrapped up the bout, but he also send the bars of the division building up a whole new respect score.
Reactions After the Bout
Post‑fight, Nguyen didn’t hide his swagger. “This is my division,” he proclaimed, turning his victory into a statement: He owns the crown, so darn it!
The Takeaway
This match was more than a fight—it was a textbook illustration of how even the toughest challengers can fall to perfectly timed, well‑aimed strikes. Nguyen’s showcase of both power and precision proves he’s not just a champion, but the authoritative commander of featherweight boxing.
