Ahead of a co-main event showdown at ONE Championship’s Battleground card on Friday, Aung La N Sang is looking to shake off two devastating losses.
Those losses saw “The Burmese Python” lose not one but two world championships — to the same man.
MMA can be a roller coaster of a sport, and N Sang (26-12, 1NC) will look to get back on the upswing against Leandro Ataides. The Brazilian has said ahead of this one that he plans to stand and trade with the Sanford MMA fighter — and also suggested that the ex-champ had shown him some disrespect.
“I never disrespected him. I said he has a lot of power. I said I’m a cleaner striker,” was N Sang’s response at this week’s media day promoting the Battleground card. “But I don’t know, we’ll see. If you watch my last few fights, I don’t think he’s going to follow through with that game plan.”
N Sang’s last two fights saw Reinier de Ridder claim both the middleweight and light heavyweight title from N Sang. The grappling department proved to be Aung La’s downfall on both occassions.
When it comes to what Aung La N Sang is looking for on Friday, “first and foremost, I want a win, but I always look for a finish,” he said. And he believes that finish will come.
What the star from Myanmar is not looking at is the title picture. Rather than rushing back to contention, “I’m focused on what’s in front of me. I just want to stay active,” said N Sang. “I said like a year ago, I just want to become a better martial artist. Put on great shows for the fans. I really have nothing to prove to anybody but myself.”
Improving his skillset and putting on great shows for the fans, “that’s what my life calling is right now,” said Aung La.
That said, N Sang is adament about reclaiming gold eventually. “I promise you, I will get my belt back.”
ONE Championship: Battleground takes place Friday, July 30 in Kallang, Singapore.
