Legend 4 main event between lightweight champion Adrian Pang vs. Nam Yui Chul. Photo credit: Legend Fighting Championship

January 29, 2011 (Hong Kong) – In front of a capacity crowd, Australia’s Adrian Pang, 33, settled a long-standing score with Korea’s Nam Yui Chul 29, on Thursday by winning the headline event at Legend 4.  The reigning Legend Lightweight Champion took victory by a split judge’s decision after three hard fought rounds.

For the first time, Legend was shown by US Pay-Per-View, with the broadcast of Legend 4 going out yesterday at 8pm ET / 5pm PT, and PPV in Canada on Viewer’s Choice and Bell ExpressVu at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.  In Asia, the event will be broadcast in Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia on KIX and on Power Sports Network in China.

Hong Kong’s own Alex Lee made his professional MMA debut, going up against Mark Eddiva of the Philippines.  Showing his undoubted potential with some lightning kicks early on, once Eddiva had him on the mat, try as he might Lee was unable to fight back from the avalanche of punches, and eventually tapped out due to a rear naked choke.

Given the extraordinary support of the home crowd, there is little doubt Lee will be back, and will continue his training under the Legend MMA Development Programme.

NAM Yui Chul (KOR) vs. Adrian PANG (AUS) (Legend Lightweight Champion)

Before the start, Pang shot Nam a look that said it all – he was out to win this time around after their memorable draw in Legend 1.  The pair were as evenly matched as before, but towards the end of Round 2, they came together in an explosion of punches, kicks, elbows.  Pang had Nam on the ropes before the referee pulled the pair apart.  Round 3 saw Nam execute a powerful takedown, but the Australian fought back until the bell sounded.  It was a close call, but Pang was declared the winner.

Welterweight Championship (77kg)

KIM Hoon (KOR) vs. Rod MACSWAIN (NZL)

In Legend’s first-ever Welterweight Championship, rising star Rod MacSwain of New Zealand, 24, defeated the favourite Kim Hoon of South Korea, 31, in a unanimous decision.

The thrilling battle in the 77kg category saw MacSwain take control during the third round, attacking with gusto during the final minutes. In the third round, Hoon was given a yellow card for kicks to the groin.

Bantamweight Tournament: Round 1

YAO Honggang (CHN) vs. Michael MORTIMER (AUS)

In the first of the two Legend Bantamweight Championship semi-finals, China’s Yao Honggang is through to contest the title after the 29-year old won by unanimous decision against Australia’s Michael Mortimer, 26. The pair matched strike for strike and pound for pound in an fiery, hard-fought contest that ultimately gave Yao the edge.

Bantamweight Tournament: Round 2

Yohan Mulia LEGOWO (INA) vs. JO Nam Jin (KOR)

Korea’s Jo Nam Jin, 19, will go up against Yao Honggang of China for the Legend Bantamweight title after he dominated opponent Yohan Mulia Legowo, 30, of Indonesia, forcing a submission in the second round with a rear naked choke.  Legowo was powerless against the unceasing attacks by showman Jo, who controlled the encounter virtually from the off.

AORIEGELE (CHN) vs. CHOI Yeong Gwang (KOR)

MMA specialist Choi emerged victorious after a full three rounds of superb action.  Initially, Aoriegele looked to have the edge in terms of speed, but Choi fought back taking his opponent down twice in the second round, bombarding him with a flurry of punches as the bell called time.  Round 3 saw Choi floor his opponent for a third time, and he was declared the winner by unanimous judge’s decision.

Mark EDDIVA (PHI) vs. Alex LEE (HKG)

Mark Eddiva took victory over Hong Kong’s own Alex Lee as the pair made their Legend – and professional MMA – debuts.  Winning by submission in the first round, Eddiva showed his dominance from the off, getting Lee on the ropes and then down on the canvas, grabbing him in a headlock as the referee called time.

Buhpesh KAMBLE (IND) vs. Pat CRAWLEY (NZL)

New Zealander Pat Crawley was victorious against Buhpesh Kamble in Legend 4’s middleweight bout, after Kamble tapped out at 3:31 in the first round, unable to defend Crawley’s ground and pound.

WANG Sai (CHN) vs. Alex NIU (CHN)

Alex Niu beat fellow countryman Wang Sai after three rounds, which saw both 77kg athletes call on every ounce of strength.  Wang got in some well-placed, powerful kicks as the bout got underway, but his opponent defended well until he was pinned to the mat.  Niu fought back and the pair were sparring at the bell.

In Round 2, Niu wasn’t going down again and managed to evade his opponent’s efforts to dominate, dramatically turning the tables and pinning him down at the bell.  Round 3 saw flurries of fury as the two spent fighters chose their punches carefully.  Niu was declared the winner by unanimous judges’ decision, and both athletes were awarded Fight Of The Night honors by Legend.

LI Jingliang (CHN) vs. Tony ROSSINI (AUS)

China’s Li Jingliang earned his second-straight Legend victory after the 22-year old submitted Australian Tony Rossini just a minute into the second round by Guillotine. While Rossini dominated the first round, Li turned the tides in the second, taking full control.

KIX, Fairtex, Affliction and the Regal Kowloon Hotel are all proud sponsors of Legend 4. Legend clips, images, news and background are all at www.legendfc.com.

Legend fans can look forward to Legend 5 coming early this spring.

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