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“Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Received and Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida are set to sq. off in some of the anticipated battles of the evening at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS this Friday, 3 December.
With massive issues anticipated from each heavyweights in ONE Championship, they are going to meet at a vital juncture of their burgeoning blended martial arts careers on this showdown on the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
One man will proceed his fast ascent, whereas the opposite will endure their first setback in MMA, and this striker-versus-grappler contest is assured to be an enchanting affair.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend “Buchecha” will carry his famed floor recreation to the Circle, however he’ll need to get previous the South Korean’s heavy fingers and keep away from his knockout energy earlier than he can go to work.
With struggle evening quickly approaching, Kang and Almeida spoke with ONE Commentator Michael “The Voice” Schiavello to share their last ideas on the matchup.
After a first-round submission of kickboxer Anderson “Braddock” Silva in his MMA debut, 17-time BJJ World Champion “Buchecha” is trying ahead to a tussle with one other hard-hitting striker.
“[Kang] is a extremely harmful man – 5 wins with 5 knockouts,” the Brazilian instructed Schiavello.
“I do know in ONE Championship there aren’t any simple fights – I by no means anticipated one. I had a extremely powerful fighter first day out. ‘Braddock’ is a extremely harmful man, and I’m comfortable as a result of I bought the victory.
“Kang will not be totally different – he’s a extremely powerful man too. I knew I might haven’t any simple path throughout my profession at ONE, so it’s what it’s. It’s a giant problem. Let’s do it.”
Regardless of his dominant win over Silva, “Buchecha” is aware of his upcoming foe will carry a extra well-rounded recreation into the Circle.
With that in thoughts, he’s getting ready to make use of his full arsenal in opposition to the South Korean on Friday evening.
“I hope I can do the identical, in fact. However it’s not jiu-jitsu, it’s MMA, so I’ve to be prepared for any situation,” Almeida mentioned.
“If it’s standing, I’ve to strike. I’m prepared for that. If I’ve to wrestle, I practice plenty of wrestling too. And if I’ve to make use of my jiu-jitsu, I do know what to do.
“It’s a must to be prepared in all elements, so I’m doing my finest to be a whole fighter in each facet of the sport.”
On the opposite facet, “Mighty Warrior” has gotten his MMA profession off to a sensational begin.
He owns a flawless 5-0 slate with 5 first-round knockouts, together with a pair of spectacular wins in ONE Championship over Iranians Amir Aliakbari and Mehdi Barghi.
Kang’s spectacular comeback victory over Aliakbari made him an on the spot World Title contender, and he was even referred to as out by ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan “Singh” Bhullar.
Nonetheless, the Wang Ho athlete will not be fazed by taking one other bout whereas Bhullar prepares to defend his belt in opposition to Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin. As an alternative, he plans to make use of this matchup with the legendary “Buchecha” to cement his declare for the following shot on the gold.
“I don’t actually thoughts about [not getting the World Title shot],” Kang mentioned. “I simply have one other alternative to show myself and show who I’m, so I simply take into consideration that.”
It doesn’t take a genius to determine the sport plans that every heavyweight will carry to this battle, however neither would write off competing of their rival’s discipline of experience.
“Like I mentioned, I’m able to struggle in any facet of the struggle,” the Brazilian mentioned.
“If I can use my placing in opposition to him, I’ll. But when I’ve the chance to make use of my jiu-jitsu, I’ll do it too. It’s laborious to foretell how the struggle will go, in order that’s why I’m prepared for any situation.”
For his half, Kang echoed that sentiment.
“I consider that I’ll know [how I’ll handle ‘Buchecha’s’ grappling ability] once I step into the Circle with him,” he mentioned. “I skilled actually laborious for his fashion. So I consider if I stick with the sport plan, then I’ll do effectively.”
The results of this match will definitely have main implications for the heavyweight blended martial arts division, however “Buchecha” will not be trying too far forward. For now, he’s dealing with a tough process in Singapore.
“I take into consideration as we speak. I by no means take into consideration tomorrow. I by no means wish to make future plans. So my subsequent dedication is to struggle in opposition to him this Friday and take one step and sooner or later at a time,” he mentioned.
“After the struggle, we are able to speak about that. Proper now, my focus is 100% on this struggle, and that’s my solely concern.”
Kang, then again, is assured {that a} victory would mark him out because the main challenger for both Bhullar or Malykhin – and he has that aim firmly in thoughts.
“I used to be as soon as thought of one of many subsequent World Title challengers,” he added. “I used to be in that image, so after this win, I consider that I’ll be subsequent.”
Learn extra: How To Watch ONE: WINTER WARRIORS On 3 December
