Jeremy Miado Expects A Thrilling Bout With Kritsada Kongsrichai

Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado (7-2) has got his swagger back.

The Manila, Philippines resident is fresh off a knockout of Muay Thai legend and inaugural ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in March, and has regained his self-confidence.

Now, he is ready to emerge as a top contender in ONE Championship’s strawweight division.

“My first two matches were losses, and then my last bout was so quick. I did not get the chance to really show my skills and improvements,” the 25-year-old Filipino says.

“After months of hard work, I am stronger and faster now. I have gotten used to managing my weight and hydration. I am sharper and more energized, and I feel like I can really start to show what I can do now.

“I am excited to follow up my victory over Dejdamrong with another big win.”

This Friday, 29 June, Miado will have the opportunity to get another big win. He will face rising Thai superstar Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai (6-4) at ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR, which takes place at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

Kongsrichai poses a dangerous challenge.

The explosive 26-year-old is an accomplished freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler who competed on Thailand’s national team. He is a 13-time Thai National Wrestling Champion, as well as an SEA Games silver and bronze medalist.

In addition to that, the Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand resident comes from a Muay Thai background. He participated in nearly 200 bouts during his adolescence, and even captured a Southern Thailand Championship.

“Dream Man” superbly fused those two skills together when he made his mixed martial arts debut in August 2014. To date, all of his six victories have come by spectacular finish in the first round.

“I think my strengths are his weaknesses, and his strengths are my weaknesses. We complement each other,” Miado explains.

“I have seen a lot of footage of how he performs. I think he is a really solid striker, but his biggest strength is his wrestling.”

For Miado, his biggest strength lies within his diverse striking.

Miado comes from an extensive Muay Thai and boxing background, and has competed professionally in both. Altogether, he has a 76-7 record between the two disciplines.

“The Jaguar” made the switch to mixed martial arts in January 2016, quickly winning his first six matches and claiming the Blaze FC Strawweight Championship in the process.

Although he is well aware of Kongsrichai’s world-class wrestling, the Filipino wants to see just how good his rival’s striking truly is.

“I want to test his stand-up game, to be honest. If he is willing to strike with me, then I say: ‘let’s go.’ But, I have also worked very hard on my jiu-jitsu, and if he does take this fight to the ground, I will try to submit him. I am prepared to finish this fight in any way possible,” Miado states.

“This is going to be a very exciting fight for fans, and I think we are going to have a good contender for ‘Bout of the Night’ here. He is ready, and I am ready.”

If overcoming the odds is the story of Jeremy Miado’s time so far inside the ONE cage, then the Filipino warrior certainly wears his underdog status very well.

With the opportunity to once again prove his doubters wrong by claiming victory against a highly-regarded opponent, “The Jaguar” is prepared to win over even more fans.

Built on the backbone of hard work and determination, Miado wants to prove more than anything else that he belongs among the strawweight division’s best.

“As a fighter, I am ready to face all situations, no matter how difficult,” he says.

“I am not the type of person who surrenders easily. I have worked very hard over the past year to clean up my game and turn my weaknesses into my strengths.

“I want to show that improvement now and win over some fans. People will see a different Jeremy Miado. I want to turn my doubters into believers.”