Why Aung La N Sang Expects To Deliver An Even Better Performance

“The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang (23-10, 1 NC) will never take how special it is to go to Myanmar and defend his ONE Championship World Titles in front of a home audience for granted.

On Friday, 26 October, the two-division ONE World Champion will have the chance to do that yet again when he faces undefeated contender Mohammad “O Lutador” Karaki (9-0) at ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS, which emanates from the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

“I’m very excited. It’s going to be a great match-up,” the 33-year-old says.

“It’s just a different world over there. It’s motivating for me. It motivates me to do better, to get better, and to become better. I’m excited.”

This second ONE Middleweight World Title defense for “The Burmese Python” comes just four months after what many consider to be the greatest battle in ONE Championship history.

In June, Aung La N Sang faced Ken Hasegawa in an epic back-and-forth contest that finally ended with a dramatic knockout in the fifth round.

“When I fight, I always look for the finish. It doesn’t matter if it’s round one, round two, round three, or all the way to round five. I’m always looking to get the finish,” the Myanmar hero says.

“Ken Hasegawa is a very tough opponent, very game, so it was a five-round war until the very end.

“I took away a lot. I learned a lot about his style as a southpaw and my difficulties getting range with a guy that moves like that. I’ve been adjusting and making some changes to sharpen my technique up.”

In his forthcoming match-up, Aung La N Sang will take on an undefeated newcomer in Karaki.

The Lebanese athlete is a two-division Desert Force Champion and Phoenix Middleweight Champion who joins the world’s largest martial arts organization with an unblemished slate of 9-0.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, the ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion relishes the opportunity to face somebody like Karaki, who is well known for bringing the action every time he steps into the cage – as shown in his eight wins by stoppage.

“I know he’s more of a grappler. He has heavy, heavy hands when he grounds and pounds,” Aung La N Sang says.

“I’ve seen most of his fight videos, so I know what kind of arsenal he has. I don’t need to watch his fights every day. I can watch it a couple of times and I can understand the kind of fighter he is, the kind of pressure he uses, and what his strengths are.

“He hasn’t fought the level of fights that I have. I’m going to test him during the fight, and it’s going to be a great fight.”

Aung La N Sang is also curious to see how the promotional newcomer deals with the raucous crowd awaiting him in Myanmar.

After competing in front of one of the most passionate sets of fans in the world many times, “The Burmese Python” is not fazed by the experience anymore, but it could be an intimidating atmosphere for his challenger.

“Every time you step out in the arena, it’s crazy – all the fans cheering, going crazy,” Aung La N Sang says.

“I’ve been there, and I know how to deal with the nerves. It’s going to be up to him if he can deal with those nerves. That kind of excitement can get to a fighter without as much experience.

“As much as I appreciate and I’m very thankful for all the fans, it doesn’t really get to me on the night of the performance.”

Aung La N Sang has never lost in front of his compatriots, and he has no plans to surrender to Karaki when they meet on 26 October.

“I’m going to break him in the first round,” the local favorite predicts.

“He’s going to feel it in that first round. Rounds two and three, I’m going to take him out.

“I say that, but if it goes five rounds, I’m more than happy to go five rounds. I’ve been there before, and I’m bringing everything I have with me. I’m ready to go.”