When Mauro Cerilli took to the podium during the ONE: Conquest of Champions press conference, the 35-year-old Italian could not help but be in awe of where his journey has taken him.
“I would never imagine to be here. I would never have thought of facing a legend in Brandon Vera,” he expressed.
“I am very blessed.”
There have been many Italians who have made it to the big stage – Alessio Sakara, Marvin Vettori, among others. But none have ever vied for a world championship.
For the first time in MMA history, an Italian will challenge for one of the top prizes in mixed martial arts. Cerilli – who owns a 12-2 record and is the reigning heavyweight champion of Britain based-promotion Cage Warriors – is the main event on the card in Manila, as he vies for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship.
“Mauro [Cerilli] is a worthy opponent. He’s been knocking guys out while I was away, and I am in no way underestimating him.”
But for Cerilli, he is just glad to have finally cracked the big league.
“I’m glad that he is talking about me,” expressed the fighter known as the Hammer. “I know Brandon [Vera] is the local hero, and I have all the respect for him. But I will do my best to win the title.
“I’ve worked very hard to get to this point, so I am grateful for the opportunity.”
