McLeary Ornido acknowledges that he is facing a must-win scenario in his upcoming assignment.
The 21-year-old prospect is set to vie for Zeus Combat League’s inaugural bantamweight championship at ZCL 2: Supremacy this Saturday, October 26. There, he takes on the returning Carlo Laurel in a five-round duel, slated to headline the festivities at the SM North Edsa Sky Dome in Quezon City.
With a record of 4-1 and an impressive 75-percent finishing rate, Ornido’s potential as the next Filipino mixed martial artist to root for in the years to come is undeniable.
In fact, he delivered a breakout performance at ZCL’s debut event this past May, submitting Jethro Saba with a rear-naked choke in just over two minutes.
This victory positioned him as a frontrunner in the promotion’s selection process to crown its first king at 135 pounds.
Despite his promising trajectory, “Showtime” knows that all his efforts could be in vain if he fails to emerge triumphant in this matchup.
“The goal is to reach the big stage, and this fight is my stepping stone to achieving that. I can’t allow anyone to derail my progress. I have to win at all costs,” Ornido told Tiebreaker Times.
However, with great rewards come significant risks. He draws in Laurel, a grizzled veteran who has nothing to lose.
Laurel (4-5) has fought some of the most notable names in the local scene, including Stephen Loman, CJ De Tomas, Alvin Ramirez, and MJ Abrillo.
Although Laurel’s win-loss ledger doesn’t fully reflect his reputation as one of the industry’s most entertaining and crafty athletes, his experience against elite competition could be a key factor in this showdown.
Ornido, however, firmly disagrees, believing that the skill gap between him and Laurel is vast.
“I know for a fact that we’re not on the same level. He can talk trash all he wants, but if he can’t deliver, it doesn’t matter to me,” he asserted.
Understanding the stakes this weekend, Ornido is determined to seize the opportunity to elevate his career to new heights.
“I have the skills, the looks, the charisma, and more weapons in my arsenal. I train with some of the best, if not the best, in the sport. I can confidently say that I’m destined to win the belt,” he declared.
