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Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado‘s confidence is at an all-time excessive, and he’s hoping to experience his wave of optimistic momentum into the strawweight blended martial arts rankings throughout 2022.
However standing in his method is Japanese veteran Senzo Ikeda, because the pair will conflict on the primary card of ONE: HEAVY HITTERS on the Singapore Indoor Stadium subsequent Friday, 14 January.
“The Jaguar” is coming off a powerful second-round TKO win in opposition to Miao Li Tao in October – his second straight victory over the Chinese language athlete – and he credit a transfer to Marrok Pressure in Thailand for his enhancements within the rematch.
One other dominant efficiency might catapult the Filipino into the World Title dialog, and he believes his new group in Bangkok can get him there.
On this unique interview, Miado speaks about sharpening his expertise, his ideas on combating Ikeda, his ambitions for the long run, and extra.
ONE Championship: You’re going through a former Pancrase Champion in Senzo Ikeda. Do you suppose that is the most important take a look at of your profession?
Jeremy Miado: Sure. He’s a really skilled fighter, and he’s no pushover. He’s already change into a champion in Japan, and everyone knows the caliber of fighters there – they’re all excellent. That’s why I take into account him as my greatest take a look at.
ONE: Break him down for us – what are his strengths and weaknesses?
JM: He’s a strain fighter. I really feel like that’s one factor that might give me a tough time, however I’m prepared for that. We’ve been making ready for that for a very long time.
I feel his foremost sport plan is to give attention to grappling and use his wrestling to frustrate me. They know I’m a striker, so I count on them to chop the gap and disrupt my rhythm on the toes.
One benefit I’ve is my youth. I’m youthful than him (29 vs. 39). He’s getting up there in age, and I feel, cardio-wise, that’s a bonus for me. I do know he can nonetheless work on it throughout coaching, nevertheless it’s exhausting to catch up.
I do know I’ll have a bonus with my boxing and my age. Whereas I’m making ready for his strain and grappling, we’re ready for every part. Wherever this match goes, I do know I’m ready.
ONE: How do you suppose the match will go?
JM: I really feel like he’s going to pursue a takedown. I need to keep away from getting taken down so I can flip it right into a putting battle. However he’s additionally a good striker. He has an unorthodox type on the toes, so I wouldn’t be stunned if he decides to remain on the toes. Nevertheless, I count on him to make use of his bread and butter, which is his grappling.
ONE: Any possibilities of you going for a takedown?
JM: All of it relies upon. If there’s a gap for me to go for a takedown, and I really feel like I’d have an advantageous place there, then why not? However I’d want to maintain it standing.
ONE: How do you need to finish this match?
JM: I need a end. I don’t need to depart it within the fingers of the judges. Both a TKO or KO victory will work for me.
ONE: You’ve crushed Miao Li Tao consecutively in your final two fights, however you’ve mentioned you improved lots within the second battle. What modified?
JM: It was night time and day. I feel my wrestling expertise actually improved as a result of that’s the place my focus was throughout coaching. I simply saved wrestling and rolling through the occasions I used to be ready. My putting additionally improved, I really feel like I’m a extra well-rounded striker now. I used to be composed, I used to be balanced, every part I threw was calculated. I simply didn’t throw punches for the heck of it. I saved my stability after I was putting to keep away from being taken down simply.
ONE: Do you consider these enhancements are a byproduct of your transfer to Marrok Pressure?
JM: Sure. Since I moved right here, I’ve simply been coaching – morning, afternoon, and night time. I do know that I can enhance on loads of my weaknesses right here. That’s why I’m not losing this chance.
ONE: Of all the talents you’ve labored on since becoming a member of Marrok Pressure, what do you suppose you’ve improved on essentially the most?
JM: It’s acquired to be my wrestling. The extent of wrestling right here is totally different. The strategy of coaching is just about the identical, however the degree of expertise and approach is method forward right here in comparison with those the place I skilled earlier than. Positive, there are loads of nice wrestlers within the Philippines, however I by no means had an opportunity to coach with them, be it due to logistics or whatnot.
Now, I’ve been given the chance to maneuver to Thailand, and I’m completely happy that I get to work on my wrestling. It additionally helps that coaching by no means stops, so our enchancment is fairly fast.
ONE: You didn’t get a top-five opponent for this battle, however you bought an excellent veteran in Senzo Ikeda. In case you win do you suppose you deserve a ranked opponent?
JM: I do know I deserve it if I win right here. I actually don’t have an issue with going through Ikeda, as a result of this is a chance to showcase myself and show that I belong within the rankings. I have to beat Ikeda to show that I deserve a ranked opponent. I do know there are loads of nice fighters on this weight class.
Learn extra: How To Watch ONE: HEAVY HITTERS On 14 January
