As Moises Ilogon approaches his 24th birthday on August 13, he has a significant challenge to face first.
Before he can mark the special occasion, the Qatar-based Filipino mixed martial artist figures in a crucial strawweight bout against Lee Seung Chul on the undercard of ONE Friday Fights 74 this August 9.
“The Lion King” cannot think of a more perfect present other than winning over a highly touted South Korean opponent at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
“My birthday is just around the corner, but my focus is on the fight. I’ll just save the celebration for later,” Ilogon told Tiebreaker Times with a determined gleam in his eyes.
“It will be really special if I can get the victory on Friday. I’ve been working tirelessly to get where I am today, and I want to make sure it counts.”
A victory in this encounter would be monumental for Ilogon, who is keenly aware of how impactful it would be for his professional career.
He is riding high on the momentum from his triumphant promotional debut in November 2023, where he stopped Cho Joon Gun via a third-round TKO.
Now, Ilogon aims to keep the trajectory soaring by defeating Lee, who boasts an impressive 7-1 record and a 100-percent finishing rate.
“I know that coming out victorious against Lee is vital for my career. He’s an opponent with an outstanding track record, but I’m prepared,” Ilogon stated.
“It’s a difficult fight, but I believe in my training and my team. I’m more than ready to demonstrate what I can do.”
Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, the Cagayan de Oro native remains unfazed.
In fact, he is eager to deliver another memorable performance that he hopes to share with his family and friends when they celebrate his birthday just four days later.
“This fight won’t be easy. I respect Lee’s skills, but I’m not letting that intimidate me,” Ilogon said.
“I know I’m up against a tough and talented fighter, but as I mentioned a while ago, I’m ready to show what I’m made of.”
