Ben Askren set to defend title against Zebaztian Kadestam in Shanghai

Former US Olympian and NCAA Division I All-American, Ben “Funky” Askren (16-0, 1NC), will return to action this 2 September, when he puts his ONE Welterweight World Championship on the line against top contender Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam (9-3) of Sweden.

The two will headline ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. The show serves as ONE Championship’s inaugural event in the bustling Chinese metropolis.

“Ben Askren is ready to defend his ONE Welterweight World Championship against Swedish challenger Zebaztian Kadestam,” said Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE, in a press release. “The interesting clash of styles should provide fans a solid matchup.”

Widely-considered one of the best welterweights in martial arts competition today, Askren is fresh off a resounding victory over top Malaysian challenger Agilan “Alligator” Thani just last May. Askren made quick work of the young star, finishing him off with a first-round arm triangle choke.

As fate would have it, Kadestam earned his title shot on the same card, taking care of business against American Top Team standout Luis Santos in a come-from-behind upset victory. After being completely dominated for the majority of the bout, Kadestam turned the corner late in the third to score a stunning stoppage. As the Swede would later reveal, it was his game plan all along to let Santos tire himself out before pouncing.

The victory quickly saw the Swedish fighter’s stock rise, earning him an immediate shot against Askren. Kadestam, a former PXC welterweight champion, left his previous promotion to join ONE Championship, giving up his title in the process to compete against the very best in the world.

In addition to the blockbuster main event, former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa (12-5) will see action, returning against Japanese grappler Tetsuya Yamada (18-5-2).

Jadambaa has been hard at work, plugging holes discovered in his game following two heartbreaking losses to reigning featherweight king Marat Gafurov. The Mongolian martial arts veteran is known for his incredible strength and durability, as well as complete set of striking and grappling skills.

In order to regain his belt, Jadambaa must find a way to improve his submission and takedown defense. Yamada is one of the most fluid grapplers to emerge from Japan, and will definitely test Jadambaa’s ground skills moving forward.

Also on the card are Evolve MMA products Amir Khan and Sagetdao Petpayathai. Khan, who has just recently completed his Singapore National Service, has vowed to fully devote his time and effort into his budding martial arts career. The 22-year-old is currently riding a four-finish win streak, and has decimated nearly everyone put in front of him.

Khan (7-2) is set to face Czech warrior Jaroslav Jartim (8-6-1), who just recently debuted for ONE Championship last April. There, Jartim fell to resurgent Team Lakay veteran Honorio “The Rock” Banario in Manila, but is still a good step up in competition for Khan, as the young lightweight looks to break into the top ranks of his division.

Khan’s Evolve Fight Team stablemate Sagetdao Petpayathai, a Lumpinee Stadium legend and multiple-time Muay Thai world champion, will make his second appearance in the ONE Championship cage.

After a Muay Thai career which saw him claim virtually every Muay Thai title there is to win, “Deadly Star” has transitioned well into the cage competition, stopping Malaysia’s Kelvin Ong back in March. This time, Petpayathai (1-0) will test his skills against Egypt’s Mahmoud Mohamed (4-4-1).

Making her ONE debut in Shanghai is grappling specialist, 30-year-old “Supermom” Miao Jie. Miao, who placed third overall among purple belts at the 2017 IBJJF World Championships in Long Beach, California, will be taking on Egypt’s Mona Samir.

As is the case with every ONE Championship event, the promotion aims to showcase local stars in the making, and this time is no exception. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI will feature top Chinese martial arts prospects Miao Li Tao, Liu De Li Ri Ge Hu, Xu Chun Yan, “The Sweeping Monk” Chen Geng Min, Peng Xue Wen, Li Cheng Chao, and “The Ghost” Zhang Ze Hao.

Kicking off the action at ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI are promising young bantamweight prospects Marc Marcellinus and Tran Quang Loc.