Jayson Miralpez is gearing up for the most important bout of his mixed martial arts career to date.
The Filipino standout has earned a spot on the supporting card of ONE Friday Fights 85, set to take place at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on November 1.
Camarines Norte’s Jayson Miralpez debuts at ONE Friday Fights 85
There, he squares off against Brazil’s Robson de Oliveira in a three-round strawweight MMA clash.
Miralpez can’t help but beam at the thought of this incredible opportunity and the life-changing impact a win could bring.
“A lot of people want to be in my position, competing in ONE. I believe now it’s the time for me to show what we can do at the international level. It will be a wasted opportunity to pass up on this offer, so I grabbed it,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
It’s easy to understand his enthusiasm; this is his chance to display his skills on a grander stage.
For Miralpez, it’s a world away from the modest beginnings that shaped him.
Born in Brgy. Dumagmang, Labo, Camarines Norte — a remote town in the Bicol region where small-scale mining sustains the community — he grew up in an area so isolated that even motorcycles struggle to navigate the rugged, muddy paths. From the nearest highway, residents trek two hours to reach their homes.
At just 10, Miralpez was forced to grow up quickly when his mother left, leaving him and his four siblings. As the eldest, he had no choice but to quit school and join his father in the mines.
“Our lives there back home, it was like a bubble. Our lives revolved around working and drinking. I was really going nowhere there,” he recalled.
Every day, he descended into 20-meter-deep pits, extracting minerals and hauling them in 50-80 kilo sacks. For each bag, he earned a mere ₱30. Grueling and hazardous, the work was his family’s lifeline.
Yet even amid the dark confines of the mines, Miralpez held onto a dream for a better life.
“Then I got an epiphany. I asked myself, ‘is this it? Are you satisfied with this kind of life? So I tried to start boxing,” he said.
In 2022, he came across a Facebook post from Warriors MMA Academy, the first MMA gym in his province. Without hesitation, he applied, and team founder Marlon Malaluan saw potential in him.
“It’s his dedication and the fire inside him. He has that killer instinct in him, and I think that’s lacking in fighters today,” Malaluan stated.
Malaluan’s intuition proved right. Today, Miralpez stands as one of the brightest prospects in Philippine MMA.
At just 20, he boasts an unbeaten record of 3-0, all wins by knockout. His most impressive victory came this past May when he stopped Denver Songaben in the first round at Zeus Combat League’s debut event.
Now, “The Dumangmang Warrior” looks to reach new heights through ONE Friday Fights, the entry point into ONE Championship, a platform where up-and-comers are given the chance to vie for a $100,000 contract and a seat on the main roster.
“After two years, here I am in ONE Friday Fights. I’m one step away from the big league,” Miralpez mentioned.
Miralpez knows the challenge won’t be easy, especially since he’s facing a more experienced opponent in De Oliveira.
With a 6-1 slate and an 84-percent finishing rate, De Oliveira has proven his caliber.
Since his first loss in April 2023, the Brazilian has rebounded with five straight wins, including a second-round submission over Rahil Baghirov in his promotional debut last August.
“I’m excited to get back in the ring. I’m an underdog here. I take this as a challenge, and I believe I can raise my name and the name of Warriors MMA Academy if I can beat my opponent in my debut. I want to show how good I am,” Miralpez shared.
There’s no question that he has a tough task ahead at ONE Friday Fights 85, but his warrior spirit remains unshaken.
Miralpez is determined to give his all and show the world exactly where he belongs.
“I’ll take every opportunity to win in this fight, but if I’m to decide, it will be a knockout. It’s a good feeling to have,” he declared.
“When I’m facing a stronger opponent, I know I have to level up to beat him. I’m inspired with the people around me who never stopped believing.”
