Marwin Quirante is determined to prove that everything he has accomplished has not been handed to him on a silver platter.
Known as “The Green Goblin,” Quirante is the latest Filipino mixed martial artist to join the ranks of young talents vying for a $100,000 contract with ONE Championship through the promotion’s weekly “Friday Fights” series.
Quirante undoubtedly belongs in the same conversation as Fritz Biagtan, Carlos Alvarez, Moises Ilogon, and Dave Bangguigui, all of whom are striving to sit alongside Carlo Bumina-ang on ONE’s main roster.
At just 21, the Marawi native is already one of the brightest prospects in Philippine MMA, boasting a professional record of 4-1, including two knockouts and one submission.
Despite his impressive skills and undeniable potential, some believe Quirante’s rise has been aided by his family’s legacy.
His middle name, De Tomas, connects him to a clan steeped in Philippine MMA history, most notably his older cousin, CJ De Tomas, who dominated the local circuit in the early 2010s.
With a powerful wrestling style and an effective top game, De Tomas conquered every opponent he faced, culminating in his capture of the URCC flyweight title from Hideo Morikawa in April 2016.
Growing up, Quirante idolized his cousin, whose rapid ascent led many to see him as a Filipino MMA superstar in the making.
“Kuya CJ is really my idol. I’ve looked up to him ever since I was a kid, especially when I told myself that I wanted to pursue the same field he’s in. In fact, I even had to beg him to take me under his wing,” Quirante recalled in an interview with Tiebreaker Times.
De Tomas later signed with the UFC in 2017, but his tenure was cut short after two losses and a failed drug test for furosemide—a diuretic banned by USADA.
Since then, De Tomas’s career has been on a downturn, losing three of his next five bouts, including a first-round submission to Burn Soriano in September 2023.
Despite these setbacks, the once-touted “Golden Boy” has been actively involved in mentoring up-and-comers, including Quirante.
Gradually, Quirante climbed through the ranks, drawing attention to his performance in the cage.
His success has drawn comparisons to his cousin’s glory days. However, while he appreciates the recognition, Quirante understands that to achieve the superstardom he desires, he must forge his own path.
He made the tough decision to part ways with De Tomas and joined the AJJ Sprawl Team under the guidance of Nhong Laurio.
This partnership has proven fruitful, leading to a string of impressive victories, including an 18-second knockout of Awan Aqib in BRAVE Combat Federation this past August.
Though leaving his cousin was a challenging choice, Quirante recognized it was imperative for him to step out from under the De Tomas shadow.
“The name De Tomas is already well-known and respected. I realized it’s time for the name Quirante to be recognized as well. I’m very grateful to them, but I need to do this to make a name for myself in this sport,” he said.
Now, Quirante is gearing up for another litmus test as he squares off against Vietnam’s Phan Thanh Tung in a strawweight MMA duel at ONE Friday Fights 84 on October 25.
As he enters the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, under a different team banner, Quirante aims to make his prominent cousin proud.
After all, he credits much of his current standing to De Tomas.
“I wouldn’t be here without him. So my victory is also his victory. Even if his dreams or desires haven’t come true, I’ll make sure to fulfill his dreams for him,” Quirante stated.
