MMA exponent Ev Ting told FMT although he was confident of overcoming his opponent, Rob Lusita from Australia, he was happy just to be a participant, referring to an unwritten code of “brotherhood” among the fighters.
The 26-year-old Malaysian featherweight fighter, who is based in Auckland, New Zealand, previously won all five matches that he had fought in Malaysia.
“It’s very honourable to fight at home for the benefit of Malaysian MMA fans.
“I understand that Malaysians like the hype a lot and I understood it from day one.” he said.
MMA, is a full-contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques. It also allows both standing and on the ground stances, along with a variety of other combat sports and martial arts.
The ONE Championship series is Asia’s largest MMA tournament, and in the Kuala Lumpur event on Sept 2, Ting’s battle with Lusita is set to be the headliner. The championship will also feature local favourites such as Peter Davis, Ann Osman, Agilan Thani, and brothers Gianni and Keanu Subba.
Meanwhile, Agilan, who fights in a Brazilian Jujitsu style in the welterweight category, expressed confidence against his opponent from the Philippines, Trestle Tan.
He said he was not pressured by the expectations that local fans would place on him.
“I don’t see this as any added pressure because at the end of the day, I’m still fighting for myself, more than for my fans.
“Anything can happen like a lucky punch or a knockout punch. So, I have to keep my head straight and make the people around me proud,” the 20-year-old said.
Rising star Keanu Subba said he’d been training hard for the coveted title, while noting that his opponent, Pakistan’s Waqar Umar, would be a challenge.
“He’s (Umar) been fighting for a while. His experience is well-rounded and this is going to be hard.”
However, Keanu, 21, said that the fight at home might serve as an advantage to him.
“I love competing here in Malaysia because I’m with my family and friends.”
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Gianni Subba said he felt great about the upcoming fight, noting that he was in his best shape at the moment.
Gianni noted that his opponent, Brazil’s Yago Bryan Farias de Morais, was an aggressive fighter who was also a former challenger for the ONE FC title.
“He’s got a good fighting combination with boxing. But, I’m ready to take him out.
“This is my fifth or sixth fight undefeated. I’m prepared and ready to go,” Gianni said.