LAST Friday, January 24, at the sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, Filipino MMA fans had no direct representation inside the Circle at ONE 170. But that didn’t stop the top dog in the bantamweight division from invoking a certain Filipino warrior’s name in the heat of battle.
Fabricio Andrade needed just 42 seconds — yes, you read that right — to obliterate Kwon Won Il and retain his ONE Bantamweight MMA World Championship in emphatic fashion. And what did he do right after? He sent a message to every bantamweight on the roster, and in the process, he uttered a name that we haven’t heard for quite some time — Stephen Loman.
And just like that, the wheels of destiny began to turn.
Loman didn’t waste time responding, issuing a video statement through the Lions Nation MMA Facebook page. The message was crystal clear:
“You proved once again why you’re the champion, but you and I both know there’s one challenge you haven’t faced yet. And that’s me.”
And oh, did that statement hit differently. The MMA world stood divided — some clamored for the showdown immediately, while others raised an eyebrow and muttered, “Hold your horses.”
Now, on the surface, Loman’s claim to a title shot may not seem airtight. After all, he’s been sidelined for nearly two years, and his last fight? A hard-fought unanimous decision loss to the ever-dangerous John Lineker at ONE Fight Night 14 in September 2023. But let’s not be shortsighted. Let’s peel back the layers and look at the bigger picture.
Loman is still the No. 2-ranked bantamweight under the promotion’s banner. He was the rightful top contender in 2023 until ONE Championship decided to throw Andrade into a vacant kickboxing title fight against Jonathan Haggerty. That unexpected detour led him to take a short-notice fight against Lineker, a move that — while courageous — didn’t go his way.
But let’s get one thing straight: losing a close fight to Lineker is not a death sentence. If anything, it’s a reminder of just how dangerous Loman is. He had moments in that bout, showed durability, and proved that he belongs at the top.
Before that setback, Loman was riding a mind-blowing 11-fight winning streak. He announced his arrival in ONE by knocking out Yusup Saadulaev in his debut, followed that up by outclassing Shooto champion Shoko Sato, and then secured a dominant victory over former bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes.
Now, with Kwon falling short against Andrade and Lineker already having two cracks at his Brazilian compatriot, the bantamweight picture is cloudy at best. No one else has made a compelling case for a title shot.
Despite his time away from the cage, Loman remains one of the few contenders who hasn’t yet faced Andrade. With few fresh matchups available for the champ, Loman-Andrade is the fight that makes the most sense.
Loman’s well-rounded skill set presents a serious challenge for Andrade. While Andrade’s recent opponents have largely relied on striking, Loman’s wrestling game — mixed with his striking — makes him a unique threat. His grappling could be the test Andrade has yet to face in the Circle. “Wonder Boy” has been dominant against strikers, but what happens when he’s up against a well-rounded Filipino who can wear him down and test his cardio?
In this sport, it’s not just about the title — it’s about the storylines, the drama, the redemption arcs. Loman’s return after a tough loss, followed by a shot at the title, would be the kind of narrative that fans can’t resist. The former BRAVE CF champion from Ifugao has long been viewed as a future ONE titleholder. Now is his chance to prove that his defeat to Lineker was just a temporary setback — and not the end of his road to glory.
If ONE wants to truly test Andrade — if they want to see how their golden boy handles a different kind of beast — then there is only one answer.
Give Stephen Loman his world title shot. He’s earned it.
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