McLeary Ornido may be getting the first crack at the inaugural Zeus Combat League (ZCL) bantamweight championship, but a battle-tested veteran hungry for atonement stands in his way.
The 20-year-old is set to lock horns with Carlo Laurel in a five-round duel at ZCL 2: Supremacy, scheduled for October 26 at the SM North Edsa Sky Dome in Quezon City.
The promotion’s matchmaking team officially confirmed this bout to Tiebreaker Times.
Ornido is considered one of the brightest prospects in Philippine mixed martial arts today, boasting a record of 4-1 with an impressive 75-percent finishing rate.
“Showtime” initially gained mainstream attention back in 2022 as one of the 16 contestants on the ONE Warrior Series Philippines reality show, where he made it to the Final 9.
While Ornido has showcased versatility by dabbling in multiple disciplines such as kickboxing, Bokator, and combat sambo, it is within the all-encompassing sport of MMA where he truly shines.
ONE Warrior Series PH alumni earn morale-boosting wins in kickboxing venture
This past May, Ornido delivered a breakout performance at ZCL’s debut event, submitting Jethro Saba with a rear-naked choke in just over two minutes.
Now riding that momentum, he looks to capture the bantamweight belt and establish himself as the top dog in the division.
But standing across the cage is a fighter who won’t be easily outmatched.
Laurel (4-5) has shared the stage with the who’s who in the lower weight classes of the local scene, including Stephen Loman, MJ Abrillo, CJ De Tomas, and Alvin Ramirez.
While Laurel’s win-loss standing might not reflect his reputation as one of the most entertaining athletes to grace the industry, his experience against elite competition could prove to be a crucial factor in this showdown.
However, it has been a challenging few years for Laurel, who hasn’t seen action under MMA rules since April 2018.
Adding to his tumultuous path, Laurel was arrested in April 2021 during a sting operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Laguna.
With his legal troubles now behind him, “The Samurai” sees this assignment as a second chance at life — a golden opportunity to reignite his career.
The card promises even more excitement as four additional inaugural titles will be up for grabs on the same night.
Tiebreaker Times first reported a few days ago that Lions Nation MMA’s Jahn Serbo is slated to go head-to-head with Fernando Venus for the ZCL strawweight crown.
Lions Nation MMA’s Jahn Serbo vies for Zeus strawweight title
Meanwhile, Hero Manguray takes on Team Lakay’s Joris Jonker for the available welterweight strap.
Furthermore, Greg Valerio battles Mhar John Manahan for the right to be called the organization’s maiden featherweight king.
Lastly, Ef Sevilla and Genil Francisco tangle for the ZCL flyweight championship.
