Originally scheduled to face Asa Ten Pow, the Team Lakay rising star Carlo Bumina-ang now gears up for no. 5-ranked bantamweight contender Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu.
Carlo “The Bull” Bumina-ang believes that he just got fast-tracked into the loaded ONE Championship bantamweight MMA picture after the latest shake-up.
Originally scheduled to face Asa Ten Pow, the Team Lakay rising star now gears up for no. 5-ranked bantamweight contender Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu. They meet at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 3.
While he was happy to take on Ten Pow, Bumina-ang knows that he’s in an even better position now, as he is already getting a crack at a ranked contender in his first fight on ONE’s main roster.
“Of course it gave me fire to train harder. I’m not only facing a top five fighter, but it’s a fighter we have history with. Now I’m even more motivated to train,” he said.
Against Baatarkhuu, he’ll get the chance to avenge the loss of his teammates in ONE Warrior Series Philippines winner Adonis Sevilleno and the highly touted Jhanlo Sangiao, two guys who have fallen victim to the rugged Baatarkhuu.
Based on the intel from the pair, Bumina-ang is confident that not only can he hang with him on the feet, he can also finish him there.
“They were telling me that his chin can be his weak point, though he’s shown that he can take hits as well. They believe I hit harder between the two, so that’s the advantage I think I have in this fight,” he said.
“He’s a very dynamic fighter but he favors the ground game more. I think between the two of us, I’m the better striker, so I’ll look to finish him standing. I’m always prepared for war and I’ll aim for his head. I’ll try to finish him.”
While he’s prepared to go the full three rounds, Bumina-ang has already built a reputation as a finisher, with five of his six wins ending before the final bell.
He intends to preserve that reputation come fight night.
“I think if there isn’t a finish in the first round, this will end before the third. I’m hoping this will be a great fight between us two,” he said.
“I know that once my fist connects with his face, I’m gonna finish it. Whether the fight stays standing or it goes to the ground, I’m going for that finish.”