Jomary Torres’s win over Rika Ishige was primarily because of strikes that eventually set-up her win by submission. At any rate her submission victory landed in ONE Championship’s Top Five Scintillating Submissions of 2017.
Here is a look back at the best submissions of the year in ONE Championship:
5. Jomary Torres pulls off shocking submission win in ONE Championship debut
In a recent upset among female atomweights, Jomary Torres of the Philippines made her promotional debut at ONE: KINGS & CONQUERORS in Macao, China on August 5 and halted Thai superstar Rika “Tinydoll” Ishige’s rapid rise through the ranks.
Ishige, who had previously won her first two bouts by spectacular finish, has proven to be a talented grappler.
However, Torres was quick to point out that Ishige was severely lacking in the striking department as the Filipina proceeded to test her opponent’s stand-up game.
After surviving several submission attempts while softening up the Thai in round one, Torres would then work to finish in round two, sensing that Ishige was slowly fading.
Just before the midway point in the second frame, the Filipina striker surprisingly caught Ishige in a choke, pressed her up against the cage, and proceeded to pursue the submission until the Thai tapped out.
https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1517251958298054/
4. May Ooi rallies back to clinch submission win at ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS
The former Singaporean Olympic swimmer turned martial artist’s prediction almost looked like it was not going to happen as Osman enjoyed early success, knocking Ooi down and then plastering her with stiff ground-and-pound, but the Malaysian strawweight was unable to put the Singaporean away.
With less than two minutes remaining in the opening frame, Ooi would make good on her promise as she dug deep to rally back by taking her opponent’s back and caught her in a deep rear-naked choke, leaving Osman with no other choice but to wave the white flag.
It was an upset of huge proportions as the Singaporean took home the victory on Malaysian soil and signified Ooi’s arrival as a new player in the blossoming women’s strawweight division.
https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1529585833731333/
3. Alex Silva secures title contender position with crafty armbar
From out of nowhere, Silva out-scrambled Suzuki following a takedown attempt and latched onto an armbar that forced a quick tap from Suzuki.
When Silva met an unbeaten Hayato Suzuki, a highly-regarded wrestler and Grachan champion, on the undercard of ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD on December 9, fans expected a technical ground war with two talented grapplers but what they got instead was a complete shocker.
The result marked Suzuki’s first loss in 20 bouts as a professional and conversely catapulted Silva to an eventual world title shot weeks later where Silva routed Naito by way of unanimous decision to clinch the ONE Strawweight World Championship.
https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1613360995353816/
2. Bibiano Fernandes flaunts submission prowess to retain bantamweight crown
On August 5, in the headliner of ONE: KINGS & CONQUERORS, the 37-year-old Brazilian grappling wizard faced American contender Andrew Leone, who vowed to give the champion his stiffest test to date.
Fernandes, however, made quick work of Leone while unveiling new dynamics in his offensive arsenal, overwhelming his American challenger with a relentless attack.
After pounding Leone with hard blows on the mat, Fernandes finished matters on the ground with a classic rear-naked choke, confirming that he doesn’t just look the absolute best that he has ever been. He really is.
https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1517400408283209/
1. Angela Lee submits challenger against all odds to keep martial arts gold
Undefeated two-time Muay Thai world champion Istela Nunes was expected to give the toughest test of Lee’s young career at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES in Singapore last May 26.
Little did anyone know it would turn out to be more difficult than anyone could have imagined.
In the first round of their five-round title bout, Lee stormed out of the gates and things soon hit the ground, though Nunes had her moments in striking exchanges.
On the canvas, Nunes was in Lee’s world as the reigning champion threatened with a variety of submissions from dominant positions, even coming close to pulling off another twister to close the round.
It was the same story in the second stanza, where it was apparent Lee was set on finishing things early. Lee maintained her breakneck pace and soon had Nunes in an anaconda choke.
After working on it repeatedly, Lee finally succeeded in tapping the Brazilian to retain her title and remain undefeated.
https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship/videos/1440812599275324/
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS
