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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3032665/typhoon-hagibis-close-tokyo-landfall-one Mixed Martial Arts
Typhoon Hagibis close to Tokyo landfall but One Championship insists ‘Century’ show goes ahead
- Asian MMA company says Sunday’s two cards to ‘proceed as scheduled’, despite expected landfall of Typhoon Hagibis at midnight local time
- Public transport could still be in disarray during morning event and One offers full refunds to fans affected
A man walks a pedestrian crossing at Ginza shopping district in the pouring rain because of Typhoon Hagibis in Tokyo on Saturday. Photo: AP
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake shook Tokyo on Saturday evening just as Typhoon Hagibis was preparing to make landfall on the Japanese capital. But One Championship insists Sunday’s “Century” show is going ahead as planned.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency said the typhoon had made landfall as the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane just west of Shimoda in Shizuoka Prefecture along Japan’s Izu Peninsula around 6pm local time.
More than 1 million people have reportedly been urged to evacuate from low lying areas of Japan. Hagibis is expected to hit Tokyo around midnight with winds of up to 140 kilometres per hour, 4 to 8 centimetres more of rain.
One said it was “monitoring” the situation earlier this week, with England’s Rugby World Cup game against France cancelled on Saturday. But the company released a statement on Friday night saying the two cards at Ryogoku Kokugican are to proceed as scheduled.
“We do advise the general public to take extra caution, especially those who will make the journey to the stadium,” the statement said.
“The health and safety of our athletes, staff and fans remain our top priority and will not be compromised.”
However, with some public transport expected to be affected until midday on Sunday, fans could struggle to make it to the famed Sumo Hall for the morning card, which starts at 9am local time.
One has promised to provide full refunds to ticket holders who are unable to attend Part I because of “inclement weather and transportation challenges”.
Century features seven title fights across two cards. Angela Lee defends her atomweight title against Xiong Jingnan in the main event of Part 1, while Brandon Vera and Aung La N Sang are set to close Part 2.