The ONE Fighting Championship mixed martial arts card, Rise of the Kingdom, which packed Koh Pich Theatre on Friday night, was a showcase of top-notch cage action, leaving the thousands of fans in attendance and many more watching the live broadcast on local channel MyTV with a thirst for more.

“It’s a dream to watch this big event,” 30-year-old Tang Pov, who had travelled down from his native Ratanakiri province, told the Post.

“The ticket price is a bit expensive, but it’s acceptable because people around the world want to see it. The organisation of the event was amazing with great music. I feel so excited,” he added.

Nung Sal, 35, also enjoyed the event.

“I will come again if [ONE FC] organises another event in Cambodia. It was attractive, like the other ONE FC events held in other countries,” he said.

A partnership deal between ONE FC and business and entertainment complex NagaWorld in May ensured at least two international MMA cards would be held in the Kingdom. The next one is slated for sometime next year, with a date yet to be confirmed.

Cambodian Mixed Martial Arts Association president Vath Chamroeun told the Post: “I am very happy that the ONE FC fight card happened here as it is educational and inspirational to young people starting to follow the sport. Events like this will help local fighters integrate better with MMA from their traditional kickboxing styles.

“Now people here have experienced an MMA event like this, I think they will enjoy the next one here more.”

Friday’s Results”

ONE FC flyweight World Championship bout: Adriano Moraes defeats Geje Eustaquio by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:54 minutes of round 2

Lightweight bout: Caros Fodor defeats Vincent Latoel by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:43 minutes of round 2

Cambodian Featherweight Grand Prix Final: Sam Ang Dun defeats Chan Rothana by disqualification

Lightweight bout: Arnaud Lepont defeats Suasday Chau by TKO (strikes) at 2:21 minutes of round 1

Bantamweight bout: Sung Ming Yen defeats Radeem Rahman by unanimous decision

Featherweight bout: Amir Khan defeats Jian Kai Chee by KO at 2:25 minutes of round 1

Featherweight bout: Meas Meu defeats Chan Heng by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:07 minutes of round 1

Cambodian Featherweight Grand Prix semifinal: Sam Ang Dun defeats Chin Heng by TKO (strikes) at 2:34 minutes of round 1

Cambodian Featherweight Grand Prix semifinal: Chan Rothana defeats Prak Chansin by TKO (strikes) at 4:32 minutes of round 1

Catchweight 50KG bout: Tharoth Sam defeats Vy Srey Chai by Submission (armbar) at 2:36 minutes of round 1.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY H S MANJUNATH