Former five-time Brave Combat Federation bantamweight world champion Stephen Loman has apologized to his supporters and fans for not making it to the ONE on TNT III in Singapore on April 22.
The Team Lakay prized fighter was supposed to make his debut fight in the ONE Championship against John Lineker of the United States but reports said the former has contracted the Covid-19 prior to departure to Singapore.
His teammate, Lito Adiwang, who is set to fight former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Jarred Brooks on ONE on TNT II on April 15, also tested positive for Covid-19, which forced the promotion to look for a replacement.
“This April was supposedly my debut fight in the ONE Championship circle. For the past few months, we have been preparing physically, mentally, and spiritually for us to be able to stay on top and win the fight. Eagerness, excitement, and hope to make each and every one of you proud helped us to keep going,” Loman said in his social media post last week.
The 25-year-old Loman also confirmed that his fight against Lineker has been cancelled, but assured his fans and supporters that he will have his time inside the circle in the future.
Prior to joining the bigger mixed martial arts leagues such as the ONE Championship, Loman strutted his wares in regional promotions Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pacific Xtreme Combat. He then became the longest-running Brave CF champion in history, after dominating the competition in the Middle East.
Loman said despite his success with Brave CF, he dwelled on the decision to join ONE, because he wanted to face the best talents the world has to offer.
“Obviously, the decision to join ONE Championship was one I thought about for a long time. I’m a fighter, and I’m seeking the toughest challenges. I want to test myself against the best. ONE Championship has the best fighters,” Loman said.
“All my teammates told me great things about ONE Championship. They say competing in this organization is good. The promotion takes very good care of its fighters, and is very generous, especially for good performances,” he added. – Harley F. Palangchao
