Fil-Aussie Reece McLaren battles for validation as next flyweight title challenger

After notching two impressive victories in the span of five months, Reece “Lightning” McLaren has proven without a shadow of a doubt that he truly is the top contender in ONE Championship’s star-studded flyweight division.

However, McLaren is having a slight detour towards his goal to meet undisputed flyweight kingpin Geje Eustaquio as he has been booked to duke it out with Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada.

Both men are slated to face each other in a three-round flyweight affair in the co-main event of ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS, which takes place at the Guangzhou Tianhe Gymnasium in Guangzhou, China on Saturday, July 7.

Australia-born Reece McLaren aims to personify Filipino warrior’s heart in cage return

“Who is Reece McLaren?” That was the question of the night during the ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS fight week in December 2015 when he surfaced as Jordan Lucas’ late replacement to face Filipino-American sensation Mark “Mugen” Striegl.

Striegl was supposed to have an easy night against a relatively-unknown Australian martial artist entering a high-profile bout on eight days notice, but McLaren begged to disagree and educated everyone about who he is and what he is capable of.

McLaren pulled off a major upset in his promotional debut by submitting Striegl with a rear-naked choke in the aforementioned event’s co-headliner.

Showcasing his never-say-die attitude, McLaren overcame a series of takedowns and a second-round knockdown against the highly-favored Striegl, but he methodically chipped away with stinging leg kicks.