The Epic Career That Made Jadambaa A Martial Arts Legend

Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa is one of the biggest martial arts stars in Asia thanks to a multi-discipline career that has seen him go down in history as a World Champion.

The pioneering Mongolian athlete has spent a lifetime establishing his legend, and he has become an icon for millions of people across the continent.

On Friday, 12 April, he has the chance to strengthen his legacy when he challenges reigning titleholder Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen for the ONE Featherweight World Championship.

If he can defeat the Australian-Vietnamese knockout artist at ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR in Manila, Philippines’ Mall Of Asia Arena, he will become the first man to enjoy two reigns as ONE Championship’s featherweight king.

Victory at the age of 43 would also make him the oldest World Champion in the history of the world’s largest martial arts organization, but “Tungaa” plans to attack this challenge with the vigor that has made him an icon.

“I love martial arts, and when I fight, I always try to do my best. I guess my fans like that,” he says.

His ambitions were far more humble when he first took up martial arts. Like many of his peers, Jadambaa was influenced by the martial arts movies of his youth, and he wanted to emulate the heroes he saw on the big screen.

Life in Bulgan, Mongolia wasn’t easy, and crime was rife, so he started learning techniques to help him protect his family and friends.

“I used to watch martial arts movies and got interested in it,” he recalls.

“At first, I started to learn judo and Jeet Kune Do to defend myself, my friends, and my younger brothers and sisters from juvenile delinquents.”

His passion for defending others against criminals led him to a bachelor’s degree in law in 2007, but he never went on to practice because of his burgeoning competitive career.

In 2003, he made his professional kickboxing debut. After just one bout, he was thrust into the biggest stand-up promotion of that era – Japan’s K-1 – where he showcased his fearlessness and warrior spirit.

The following year, he had his first match as a mixed martial artist, and also went in among the elite when he faced the late Japanese legend Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto.

Jadambaa’s warrior spirit was already endearing him to the fans, particularly in his time under the K-1 World Max banner, as he was courageous in the face of the world’s leading strikers.

He faced off against the likes of Andy Souwer, Masato, Albert Kraus, and Buakaw Por Pramuk in Japan, and went the distance with all of them.

“I fought against four K-1 World Champions at that time. It is my best memory in the striking game,” he says, proudly.

Despite his ability to hang with the best of the best, he felt his destiny lay elsewhere.

He ran both his kickboxing and mixed martial arts careers concurrently until 2009, but after winning the MGL-1 kickboxing tournament in his homeland with three consecutive knockouts, he decided to concentrate on his cage career.

“There are a lot of things to learn to fight in mixed martial arts. I think it is the summit of martial arts,” he explains.

This is when Jadambaa’s star really began to shine, and he went on the run that would make him a legend. He put together an eight-bout win streak across Asia, which culminated in him winning and defending the Legend FC Lightweight Championship.

“I gained lots of experience at Legend FC, and it raised my level as a mixed martial arts fighter,” he reveals.

It also put him in a prime position to join ONE in 2014, and after a debut win over former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario, he earned the chance to take on Koji Oishi for the belt.

In August 2014, his skill and experience combined to outwork the Japanese athlete over five rounds. He claimed a unanimous decision and had World Title gold wrapped around his waist.

“I was so happy, I could cry,” Jadambaa says. “It is the most honorable and the biggest title among the titles I had won before.”

Fast-forward five years, and “Tungaa” is looking to experience that same feeling. He returned from a long hiatus to register back-to-back wins in 2018, and he has looked stronger with every outing.

A second World Title win would elevate his legendary status, but his legacy is secure regardless of the result in Manila.

Through all of his efforts, achievements, and conduct on the global stage for martial arts, he has become a role model for his countrymen and fans all over the world.

“It makes me so happy to have inspired people,” he says.

“I would like to leave the message to do one’s best – try to show your full ability, and value propriety and politeness.”