Japan’s Yusuke Kawanago to face China’s Ji Xian for the featherweight title
Hong Kong, March 15, 2012 (Thursday) — Legend Fighting Championship returns to Hong Kong for City of Dreams exclusively presents LEGEND 8, with Mongolian Jadamba making his first Legend lightweight title defense against challenger Nam Yui Chul of South Korea at the AsiaWorld-Expo on March 30.
Jadamba (1-0 Legend, 7-2 overall), who is ranked as one of the top 20 lightweight fighters in the world, won the Legend lightweight title with a split decision victory over Australia’s Adrian Pang at LEGEND 6 in October 2011 at the City of Dreams, Macau. In his first title defense, he will match his precision striking against Legend veteran and fan favorite Nam (1-1-1 Legend, 13-3-1 overall), the former Spirit MC welterweight champion who now fights as a lightweight.
In the co-main event, Yusuke Kawanago of Japan (1-1 Legend, 8-3-1 overall) will face China’s Ji Xian (1-0 Legend, 7-0 overall) for the Legend featherweight title. Kawanago is known for his aggressive counter-striking style and is one of the hottest featherweight prospects in Japan. Half of his victories have come by knockout. The undefeated Ji has a sanda background but has also developed a reputation as one of China’s best grapplers. All seven of his victories have come by way of first-round submission. The winner of this matchup will make his first defense of the featherweight title against Fransino Tirta* at LEGEND 10 in Jakarta in July.
“To have Legend back in Hong Kong, the place of its genesis, after more than a year is a great feeling,” said Michael Haskamp, Legend co-founder and managing director. “This is one of our best fight cards yet. Jadamba and Nam are two of the region’s most exciting fighters, and the Kawanago-Ji match-up pits a phenomenal striker against an outstanding grappler with world-class submission skills.”
Legend 8 will include four undercard fights and six main card fights. Doors to the AsiaWorld-Expo will open at 6:30 p.m. and the first undercard fight will begin at 7 p.m. The main card will begin at 9 p.m. (all times HKT)
Tickets are priced at HK$680, HK$480, and HK$280 and will go on sale on Friday, March 16, at HK Ticketing (www.hkticketing.com). Please visitwww.legendfc.com for more information.
LEGEND 8 will also be broadcast in 10 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific and North America. For more information, please visit www.legendfc.com.
LEGEND 9 will be held at the City of Dreams, Macau, on June 16, and LEGEND 10 will be held in Jakarta in July, with a date to be announced in the coming days.
*Fransino Tirta had originally been slated to headline LEGEND 8 in Jakarta, Indonesia, but had to withdraw after an emergency appendectomy on March 9. With Legend committed to giving Tirta the opportunity to be the first Indonesian to fight for an international MMA championship in his home country, Legend decided to move LEGEND 8 to Hong Kong. After his recovery, Tirta will have the chance to fight in front of his home audience when he challenges for the featherweight title at LEGEND 10 in Jakarta in July.
About Legend Fighting Championship
Legend Fighting Championship (Legend) is the Asia-Pacific championship of mixed martial arts (MMA). Legend invites champion mixed martial artists from throughout the region to compete in a freestyle tournament using interdisciplinary skills, including sanda, jiujitsu, muay thai, boxing and wrestling. All Legend fights are supervised matches under a strict set of rules designed to promote athlete safety and sportsmanship. Legend is committed to promoting the sport of mixed martial arts in the Asia-Pacific, to supporting and cultivating its athletes, and to providing exceptional entertainment to a broad audience.
Based in Hong Kong, Legend is backed by CA Media, the Asia-Pacific investment vehicle of the Chernin Group, and Diamond Ridge Ventures.