Malaysian fighter Ev Ting got a win on his lightweight debut, but he was made to work for it by veteran Kamal Shalorus who pushed him to the limit at ONE: Thorne of Tigers this evening. 

Ting walked into the bout riding a win streak of three and twelve years younger than his Iranian opponent. Shalorus, who had been written off by many having not fought since Aug. 2014, defied expectations and looked at the races from the outset and put in a good performance for a man so lacking in cage activity.

The first round began tentatively on the feet as both men threw strikes from distance looking to gauge the range. Ting took the center of the cage and pushed forward, but Shalorus countered well and he punished Ting multiple times as he looked to close the distance.

After a largely uneventful round one, the fight really started to open up in the second round as Shalorus once again caught Ting with a right hook as he entered the pocket. A well timed flying knee by Ting was taken well by the Iranian and he continued to stand his ground as Ting started to pile on the volume chopping away at Shalorus with heavy leg kicks. 

With the end of the second round, Ting looked to go upstairs with a kick, but Shalorus slipped it well and fired back with a stinging right left combination. 

With the bout razor tight heading in to the third, it was really there for the taking for either man. Ting continued to chop away at the legs, but Shalorus’ movement seemed for the most part unaffected despite his upper leg turning a bright shade of red.

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A failed takedown attempt led to a brief grapple against the cage, but before long the two were separated again and throwing shows in the center of the cage. With the clock running down the two closed the gap on the feet and began to exchange shots in the pocket. Ting threw and landed more volume, but every once and a while Shalorus responded with a nicely timed right hand to let the Malaysian know he was still in the fight. 

The two fighters exchanged strikes until the final bell, but it was Ting who looked the fresher of the two using his leg kicks and superior movement to potshot and land more frequently throughout.

With the judges left to decide the victor, the crowd inside the Stadium Negara in Kula Lumpur held their breath. After a brief pause to gather the scores, Ting was declared the winner by split decision in what was a tight, but well-earned victory. 

Also on the card, there were wins for several other Malaysian fighters with Agilan Thani, Ann Osman, Keanu Subba and Saiful Merican also picking up victories. 

It wasn’t such a good night for Herbert Burns who after spending 18 months on the sidelines, was beaten convincingly across three rounds by undefeated Russian fighter, Movlid Khaibulaev via unanimous decision.

ONE: Throne of Tigers Results

Ev Ting def. Kamal Shalorus via Split Decision

Agilan Thani def. Jeff Huang via submission (RNC), Round 2, 2:25
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Ann Osman def. Vy Srey Khouch via TKO (strikes), Round 1, 4:58
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Movlid Khaibulaev def. Herbert Burns via Unanimous Decision

Keanu Subba def. Ahmed Mujtaba via submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 2:56
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Alex Silva def. Roy Doliguez via submission (armbar), Round 3, 2:36
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Saiful Merican def. Bernard Soriano via TKO (Soriano quit on stool), Round 1, 5:00
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Tiffany Teo def. Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol via Unanimous Decision

Muhammad Aiman def. Eduardo Novaes via TKO (strikes), Round 2, 2:50