Elliot Compton Is Out To Impress Against Cosmo Alexandre In Manila
Elliot “The Dragon” Compton is ready to breathe fire in ONE Championship.
The Brisbane, Australia resident will make his promotional debut at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR in Manila, Philippines, this Friday, 20 April. He will take on revered Brazilian Muay Thai World Champion Cosmo “Good Boy” Alexandre in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai bout.
Both men will bring fearsome reputations with them to the Mall Of Asia Arena, but lifelong martial artist Compton is hoping that his unique blend of styles will be enough to make up for the difference in experience.
Although it was ‘the art of eight limbs’ that captured his interest on the competitive front, Compton has studied under his father Steve from a young age, and has never been bound by any particular brand of combat.
The family patriarch trained under Dan Inosanto, Bruce Lee’s right-hand man, and learned to absorb what was useful and reject the useless, all while adding his own flavor from cross-training in various martial arts disciplines.
This philosophy resonated directly with “The Dragon,” and now his style is certainly unique, and therefore hard to prepare for.
“It is going to be a game of inches, as we are both very technical,” the 29-year-old explains. “I think some of his style will negate my style, but I think a lot more of my style will negate a lot more of his style.”
For the Aussie, even just contemplating how their styles will clash is an honor within itself, considering Alexandre is an athlete he admired while coming up through the ranks. The Brazilian blazed an incredible trail, and has claimed numerous world titles including the Lion Fight Super Middleweight World Title.
Now Compton’s lifetime of hard work, which sees him as a four-time World Caged Muay Thai Champion, is turning these heroes he has long admired into his peers and, in the case of Alexandre, his opponent.
“Cosmo is a guy that I have watched closely for years because I like his style, and I appreciate what he has achieved in his career,” Compton says.
“I respect him a lot, and what he has done in this sport is nothing short of remarkable. I think that he is a great test, and I am really looking forward to challenging myself against him.”
One of the intriguing points about this match-up is how the Brazilian’s experience will play out against the Compton’s youthful enthusiasm.
Alexandre will be days away from his 36th birthday when they meet, has been a world champion several times, and has already taken on the best of the best throughout his career.
This is a massive opportunity for “The Dragon” to rise to the top, and propel himself amongst the Giorgio Petrosyans and Yodsanklai Fairtexes of the world, which has made him even hungrier to get the victory.
“It comes down to who is going to push the action, and who wants it more, and I feel like I really got a point to prove because he is such a great of this sport,” Compton says.
“I really want to give a good account of myself to the ONE Championship fans, staff, and matchmakers, but also to him. I want him to have a great battle against me, so I am going to have to bring my A-game.”
Even though he has immense respect for his adversary outside of the ring, Compton knows he cannot be overawed by him when they meet in the middle. There will be no obeisance paid to the man before him, as when they meet eye-to-eye for the referee’s final instructions, they will be equals.
“I see it being the best bout of the night, and ultimately my hand getting raised,” the Aussie continues. “But either way, we are both going to get back to that dressing room broken and bruised, knowing we had to give it our all.”
