Khmer Times/Ismail Vorajee

A duo of Cambodian combatants will represent the Kingdom in this evening’s much-anticipated ONE: Kingdom of Champions event at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand in a chapter which marks the first foray for Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion into the spiritual home of Southeast Asian Martial Arts. Kev Hemmorlor, fighting out of Selapak Gym in Phnom Penh, has been matched against Kritsad ‘Dream Man’ Konsrichai, while compatriot and Team Phnom Penh MMA fighter Khon Sichan will test his mettle against veteran Thai fighter Yodsanan Sityodtong.

Hailing from Kandal province, Hemmorlor was forced to drop out of school in grade 12 to help provide for his large family of five brothers and six sisters.

Despite toiling in the construction sector for several years, the 27-year-old continued to train in the Cambodian discipline of Kun Khmer in his hometown of Takeo City and test his skills on weekends. In 2012, Hemmorlor took the plunge to dedicate himself to his calling and spent 12 months learning under the tutelage of esteemed Yutakhun Khom Grand Master Chan Bunthoeun, father of fellow ONE fighter Chan Rothana.

After Rothana opened Selapak gym in 2013, Hemmorlor joined the famed Phnom Penh fight academy in the role of assistant coach, all while studying for a university degree in Khmer Literature. Weighing in at 56 kilograms and 166 cm in height, he has been labeled by fight critics as a high-level striker and lethal in close combat, and is expected to provide a staunch challenge for Konsrichai.

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/25447/cambodians-represent-at-one-in-bangkok/

Best of luck to the Cambodians.