After rough journey, Fil-Am Sean Climaco plans to impress in ONE Championship debut

At one point in life, Filipino-American striker Sean Climaco questioned whether he was cut out for Muay Thai. 

But now, as he’s getting ready to debut in ONE Championship against Josue Cruz this May 4 at ONE Fight Night 22, Climaco finally found the answer to his question. 

After making a name for himself in Muay Thai promotions around the United States, Climaco will compete at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand – a place often referred to as “The Mecca of Muay Thai” by die-hard fans. 

“One of the biggest obstacles that I had overcome was getting back from tearing my ACL. When that happened, I didn’t really know where my career would go. I thought I was gonna end up stopping fighting. And who knew if my knee would ever be the same again?” he said. 

“Luckily, I had this opportunity to compete in [Road to ONE: America]. It just so happened to start at the same time as I was ready to fight again after doing my knee rehab,” he added. 

“I won the Road to ONE tournament for the U.S. and now I’m in ONE, something that I didn’t even see after I tore my knee. I thought I was done.”

His run through the Road to ONE: America tournament was nothing short of exceptional. He dominated all three fights, finishing everyone en route to getting the coveted US$100,000 ONE Championship contract. 

Now Climaco promises his fans the same intensity that he’s been known for.  

“If you watched the Warrior’s Cup tournament,” Climaco said, “I finished all of the three fights. So I plan to do the same come May 4.”

With the golden opportunity ahead of him, there’s no turning back for Climaco now. 

“I’m really excited to test myself against the best in the world,” he said. 

“Of course, I’m training harder than ever, but that’s what you have to do when you get called to fight in one of the biggest organizations in the world. 

“I’m just trying to get my feet wet and show the world who Sean ‘The One’ Climaco is.”