Carlo Bumina-ang may be taking on significant risks in his next assignment, but it also promises a substantial reward.
“The Bull” locks horns with No. 5-ranked bantamweight MMA contender Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu in his main roster debut at ONE Fight Night 24, which takes place live from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand this Saturday, August 3.
Originally, the heavy-hitter from Baguio City was scheduled to face Asa Ten Pow on the card.
However, the promotion announced two weeks ago that Baatarkhuu would fill in for the American striker due to an undisclosed reason.
This match-up appears to be a step up in competition for Bumina-ang as the Mongolian veteran boasts a more experienced slate of 10-3, with six of his victories coming by way of stoppage.
It’s likewise worth noting that Baatarkhuu has a dreaded track record versus Filipino mixed martial artists, defeating the likes of Adonis Sevilleno, Rockie Bactol, and Jhanlo Sangiao.
On paper, the odds appear to be against Bumina-ang, who first caught attention with his impressive run under the ONE Friday Fights banner.
But if Bumina-ang himself were asked, it’s just mere statistics.
“Anything can happen in a fight. You never know what might occur. That’s the beauty of this sport. So I think, as long as I can still fight, there’s a chance for me to win,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
(C) ONEFC.com
Instead of succumbing to pressure, the 30-year-old focuses on the momentum he has built from his stint in the organization’s developmental territory.
There, he amassed five consecutive victories, four of which were finishes, solidifying his status as a rising Filipino star.
His outstanding performance earned him a $100,000 contract with ONE Championship after he choked out Chayan Oorzhak, securing his spot as a promotional mainstay.
“I believe that what I went through in ONE Friday Fights has prepared me for this opportunity. I’m confident in my abilities, no matter what situation I find myself in during the fight,” he said.
While beating Baatarkhuu will require significant effort, a victory could elevate Bumina-ang’s standing in the division.
A win could propel him into the division’s Top Five rankings, standing alongside Stephen Loman, John Lineker, Kwon Won Il, and Artem Belakh.
For now, Bumin-ang’s focus is on leaving an indelible impression as he prepares to showcase his skills to a much wider audience this weekend.
“Of course, it’s nice to think about the reward I could receive. But first, I need to deliver a great performance because that’s the only way I’ll get it,” he stated.
