Sydney based Martin Nguyen will be looking to add a third concurrent One Championship title belt tomorrow night when meets bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes.
The bout headlines the promotions return to Bangkok, ThailandĀ for the event titled One Championship: Iron Will.
Nguyen shocked the world in December when the 28 year-old became the first two-division champion in the promotion with a highlight reelĀ knock0outĀ of Eduard Folayang (video), adding the lightweight strap to his featherweight title he claimed earlier against the previously undefeated Marat Gafurov.
āIām working round the clock to give the performance of a lifetime. All my matches ended within the distance, and I plan to end this one early too,ā Nguyen said via a press-release.
āIām definitely looking to finish. I know Bibiano will be the best opponent I have ever faced, but Iām going to go in there and do my thing. I think I can catch him late and my youth and athleticism will be too much. Itās time to make history again.ā
Fernandes, 37, claimed the bantamweight title way back in 2013 and has made an impressive six title defenses since, most recently submitting US based fighter Andrew Leone in the first round. Prior to the quick-fire victory, the Brazilian earned a split decision against Australiaās Reece McLaren.
āIām not just competing for the belt anymore, to me, itās all about challenges now,ā Fernandes commented in the press-release.
āI want to challenge myself and see how far my skills have progressed. Martin Nguyen is a great challenge for me, one of the biggest of my career. Everyone is talking about his power and how heās going to know me out. I would like to see if he can. When he won the featherweight and lightweight world titles, itās was definitely impressive. But this is my division. Heās coming into my territory and I will defend it. This challenge really motivates me to be at my best.ā
Fight Card:
- Bibiano Fernandes (c) vs. Martin Nguyen ā One Championship bantamweight title
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