Ev Ting Puts Everything On The Line To Represent His Homeland

When Ev “E.T.” Ting enters the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS, he will not just compete in search of glory himself, he will compete to inspire a nation. 

The 29-year-old was one of the first standout Malaysian mixed martial artists on the global stage for martial arts, and his performances have already helped to motivate the next generation of athletes.

When Ting takes on Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev next Friday, 22 February, he hopes a signature win will stimulate more interest in his sport from his countrymen and women.

“There’s always time to invest in being a role model and being a leader,” Ting says.

“Right now, to be a good role model, I have got to win my fights, so I have to channel my energy in the right places to get another opportunity to prove that I belong at the top.”

When he joined the promotion six years ago, “E.T.” quickly rose to prominence for his exciting performances, and it gave him the opportunity to create a bond with his Malaysian fans, and help generate interest in the ever-growing sport. 

He went the extra mile to promote himself and the benefits of training martial arts, and his efforts helped lay the foundations for its popularity to grow. Now, there are many more promising up-and-comers from the region.

“During the mixed martial arts boom in Malaysia about five or six years ago I was very active with coaching, and doing seminars all throughout Malaysia,” Ting explains.

“I was very active in promoting the sport – being one of the first pro fighters to represent Malaysia at the time.”

Ting became a role model and an inspirational figure – particularly for young people in Malaysia.

In addition to his efforts to mentor people, he was a hero when the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization has come to Kuala Lumpur.

When he has carried the flag to the cage to compete at the top of the bill in his country’s capital city, he stepped up to the plate every time.

He believes that is what struck a chord more than anything.

“As a sense of duty, I’ve been constantly on the front line of mixed martial arts,” he states.

“I’ve been in big bouts, main events back-to-back, I’m 9-0 in Malaysia.

“I’m putting my body on the line three or four times a year to represent a nation that should be known for more than their badminton.”

Ting’s influence can be seen in some of ONE’s most popular superstars, too. Former ONE Welterweight World Title challenger Agilan “Alligator” Thani, as well as brothers Gianni and Keanu Subba, have cited Ting as a major influence on their progress on the global stage for martial arts.

But “E.T.” does not just want to inspire a new crop of competitors.

He hopes even the most casual fan can be driven to take up martial arts, learn its values, and change their lives for the better – just as it did for him.

“It just encourages so many values of humanity,” says the Auckland MMA representative.

“The main reason I compete is, I feel like a training camp is like a short version of life – you’re going to go through obstacles, and you’re going to go through times where you don’t want to change.

“You’re going to feel like giving up, but it’s all about challenging yourself and pushing through any adversity.”

Ting is thrilled that he has been able to use his platform to influence the lives of young people and encourage the rise of a new cultural phenomenon, but for now, that is not his main focus. 

For now, he will not let anything distract him from his primary goal – winning the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix so he can challenge for the ONE Lightweight World Title.

His quest for gold will begin at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS against “Dagi” – one of the most dangerous athletes in the game.

“[Being a role model] is not something I want to be front page for right now,” says Ting.

“All my focus is on the Grand Prix and my opponent on 22 February, so any extra energy I put aside for that is going to distract me from my goals.”

He has undoubtedly channeled his energy in the right direction. Success against Arslanaliev and the tournament as a whole will make him even more of a national hero, and undoubtedly do more for his and mixed martial arts’ popularity in Malaysia than a lifetime of seminars.