As the first Filipino fighter to graduate from ONE Friday Fights to ONE Fight Night, Carlo Bumina-ang welcomes the high-quality challenges to hone his skills and boost his self-confidence.
"The Bull" Bumina-ang analyzed his journey toward the ONE Championship main roster after earning the US$100,000 contract to compete in the promotion last year.
Bumina-ang became the first Filipino fighter to graduate from the ONE Friday Fights circuit following five straight wins at Lumpinee Stadium to become Team Lakay's next big thing.
He fell flat in his debut when Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu submitted him in the final seconds, but he's regained his footing following two TKO victories over Song Min Jong and most recently Mauro Mastromarini at ONE Fight Night 30.
Looking back, "The Bull" is enjoying the challenge.
"Oh the level of competition is certainly a whole lot higher now compared to my days in Lumpinee. I'm not saying that the Lumpinee level is low. It's just that fighters here are really of a different caliber," Bumina-ang said.
"Three fights in, I'm confident that I can hang at this level. I'm more composed now. I have a better killer instinct as well. There are challenges for sure, but I'm certainly learning and growing as well. I'm improving. I'm growing as a fighter.”
In those three fights, Bumina-ang has grown leaps and bounds since debuting a couple of years back.
When asked where he feels he's improved the most, Bumina-ang focused on his confidence and composure. He thinks he truly belongs with the best fighters in the world with the exposure he's getting on the main roster.
"I've grown my confidence. Honestly, when you compete in ONE Championship, you're facing some of the best fighters in the world. Truly high-level fighters," Bumina-ang said.
"That improved my confidence, going toe-to-toe with high-level fighters with a lot of experience, it's given me confidence that I belong here. My composure is also better. I've managed my aggression better and balanced it well now.”