Over the years, the Philippine mixed martial arts scene has witnessed the rise of several noteworthy athletes who have captivated the attention and adoration of fans on both the local and international levels.
It’s the same superstar status that Jeremy Miado aspires to attain in his next assignment under the ONE Championship banner.
“The Jaguar” is set to lock horns with Russian newcomer Mansur Malachiev in a three-round strawweight contest on the undercard of ONE Fight Night 11, which takes place at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday morning, June 10.
For the 30-year-old Albay native, this is about more than just adding another victory to his professional record; it’s about making a statement and proving that he belongs among the elite in the industry.
“Well, we know a lot of famous Filipino fighters in ONE Championship and even in other organizations. But I strive to prove to everyone that I can fight at a high level every single time,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
The upcoming clash against Malachiev, 32, will serve as a litmus test for Miado as his opponent has already established a reputation as a prolific mixed martial artist in just nine years of competing in the sport.
Malachiev boasts an immaculate 10-0 standing, with five wins by submission and three via knockout.
Moreover, the Dagestan, Russia-based mauler hasn’t gone the distance since March 2019, finishing his last five bouts within three rounds.
To date, the biggest accomplishment in Malachiev’s prizefighting run was when he became a two-division champion in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s now-defunct Eagle FC promotion by capturing both the flyweight and bantamweight titles.
Despite the outstanding credentials that Malachiev possesses, Miado embraces the pressure and anticipation, knowing that the outcome could define the trajectory of his career.
For this pivotal encounter, he set up camp in Phuket, Thailand, to train under the tutelage of DJ Jackson at Southside MMA.
According to Miado, Jackson—a multiple-time no-gi world champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu—made sure that he would be more than ready to handle Malachiev’s wrestling-heavy offense come fight day.
“We watched some of his past fights, and I can truly say he really relies on his takedowns and submissions a lot. He does have decent striking, but I would like to believe I’m still ahead of him in that department,” he stated.
“I’m really expecting him to bring the fight to the ground and go for submissions, which is why we focused on that aspect in our camp. I dipped my toes in as many fields and styles as possible before the fight to be prepared for it.”
Malachiev may be a formidable grappler, but the Filipino knockout artist doesn’t mind wrestling for the majority of the match if it ensures him walking away with his hand raised in triumph.
“In my last few fights, my improved wrestling skills allowed me to be more comfortable in dishing out strikes since I’m sure my wrestling will definitely hold up, and I know how to get out of those situations,” Miado shared.
“That’s practically my game plan in most of my fights, focusing mainly on improving my takedown defense because I’m fine when it comes to the striking game. But if there are moments where I can take him down and an opportunity to land shots from the top, I would give it a shot,” he continued.
Miado is well aware of what awaits him if he manages to defy the odds at ONE Fight Night 11—a shot at Jarred Brooks’ ONE strawweight championship.
“If I win and I do it convincingly, I don’t think they’ll have any other choice than to put me in there with Jarred Brooks,” he said.
“I’m riding a four-fight winning streak right now, and if I beat my opponent on Saturday, that’s going to be five-straight wins. They might just give me a chance then.”
For too long, Miado has been on the periphery, watching his compatriots take center stage. However, “The Jaguar” believes that he’s destined to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the prominent names in Philippine MMA.
“People who appreciate my work in this sport will come in due time.”
