Chinese flyweight sensation “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin continued his sparkling win streak at ONE: HERO’S DREAM in Yangon, Myanmar, with a first-round submission victory over the Philippines’ Eugene Toquero.
The classic grappler versus striker match-up was a back-and-forth affair, before Ma was able to find success with a succession of takedowns and submission attempts.
Toquero, a 36-year-old Filipino National Muay Thai Champion, led with aggression early. He scored a flying knee on Ma, but was subsequently taken down for his efforts. From there, the Chinese athlete attempted a pair of guillotine chokes and an armbar before Toquero was able to get back up to his feet.
Toquero then momentarily turned the tables on his grappling-savvy opponent, as he got a takedown of his own, and then landed on top in the dominant side mount. Still, Ma, a Chinese National Wrestling Champion, kept his composure, and soon worked up to his feet.
Ma, also the 2016 ONE Changsha Bantamweight Tournament Champion, did not let the match leave his control again from that moment on. He successfully worked to the inside of Toquero again, scored another takedown, and methodically moved to the full mount to fire punches down at Toquero.
The Filipino hung tough. He turned his back and survived, even reversing positions and regaining top position inside the full-guard of his opponent.
Undeterred, however, Ma locked on an armbar, took top position with the limb in grasp, and forced the submission with nine seconds left in the opening stanza.
The win improves the Chinese warrior’s record to 9-1 and has given him yet another high profile victory under the ONE banner.
