Adrian Mattheis Plans To Sprawl And Brawl To Defeat Liu Peng Shuai

Adrian “Papua Badboy” Mattheis faces a big test at ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY, but the Indonesian star expects to come out of it with a fourth consecutive win.

On Friday, 12 July in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the most prolific finisher in the history of ONE Championship’s strawweight division will face Liu Peng Shuai.

The Chinese athlete impressed with a submission win in his ONE debut in February, but the Tigershark Fighting Academy representative believes he has more than enough in his locker to put him away.

“He is two years younger than me, so he may have advantages of speed and strength too, but I believe that my experience and technique will enable me to win my next fight,” Mattheis says.

“Papua Badboy” has come a long way during almost three years in The Home Of Martial Arts to emerge as one of his country’s best hopes for sustained success at the highest level.

When he first competed on the global stage, he was a brawler who boasted little more than incredible knockout power, but now the 26-year-old has a full range of skills that can see him work through some tough spots and win in many different ways.

He showed that in his last match against Himanshu Kaushik, who was determined to put Mattheis on his back and attack with his powerful ground and pound. However, the Jakarta native took control on the mat and turned things around to win by first-round submission.

He is motivated to continue his evolution as a martial artist because he believes he will need to be at the top of his game to execute his game plan against Liu.

Although the man from Beijing is billed as a kickboxer, his last two wins have come via submission, and the Indonesian wants to be prepared to defend the takedown.

“Our team has been preparing both the mental and physical aspects very well,” he says.

“I will be going against a wrestler, so we have been developing more sprawling techniques. Our next game plan includes a strategy to stand up and strike.”

Mattheis also reveals he has made some tweaks to his training routine to make sure he is faster and stronger to face the ONE Hefei Flyweight Tournament Champion.

“I have also started crossfit and worked on my endurance with a 10-kilometer run after each practice session,” he explains.

“I have trained strength and conditioning as usual, and my additional [wrestling practice] and running will enhance it.

“Fans really should watch the fight in Kuala Lumpur, so everyone knows that Indonesia is home to many good athletes.”

This contest at the Axiata Arena also offers the ONE Strawweight Indonesia Tournament Champion another opportunity that he is excited about.

Mattheis has been a regular fixture at ONE events in his homeland, but he grabbed the chance to travel to Indonesia’s neighboring country and put on a show for its fans.

The two nations may normally be fierce sporting rivals, but the “Papua Badboy” hopes he can receive some cheers from the local fans when he puts on a show for them.

“It will be my first ever fight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” he says.

“Indonesia and Malaysia have long been holding this rivalry over many things, but I would like to prove that both nations can also maintain peace with sporting events like this.”