MMA: Malaysian tigers ready to strike

All six Malaysian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters have made weight and are set to battle their opponents in the cage at ONE FC: Roar Of Tigers at 7pm on Friday.

The national heroes - Peter Davis, Ann Osman, Ev Ting, Saiful Merican, Raymond Tan and Marc Marcellinus will join other fighters from around the world who have also made weight, in a bout scheduled to happen at Putra Indoor Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

Astro AWANI spoke to some of these fighters to see how are they preparing.

“I am 200 percent ready. He may be a veteran in Muay Thai, but this is MMA and anything can happen,” said Saiful, 26, who will be facing Thailand’s Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.

For Ev Ting, the Auckland-trained fighter said he is in great shape and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t beat his opponent.

The 25-year-old Malaysian who lives in New Zealand will face Edward Kelly from the Philippines.

In the girl's fight, Ann Osman will go head to head against Egypt’s Aya Saeid Saber.

“I’m ready for the fight, and I will come in stronger and aggressive this time,” warned Ann who vows to beat her opponent at home ground.

Meanwhile, at the weigh ins yesterday, both main event stars Rob Lisita and Marat Gafurov are set to clash in the top billed bout of the evening.

“I am going to take out every champion that ONE FC brings in. I am so excited because tomorrow I will showcase the best version of me you have ever seen.

“I’m the ruthless one and tomorrow I will be more ruthless than ever,” said Lisita.

As for Gafurov he said he is happy to be a part of ONE FC and it’s a step up in competition for him.

“Rob is a tough opponent, but I think that this is a good matchup that favours me,” he said.

Below are the weigh in results:


MAIN EVENT

Featherweight bout: Marat Gafurov (65.8 kg /145 lbs) VS Rob Lisita (65.7 kg /145 lbs)

MAIN CARD

Lightweight bout: Vaughn Donayre (70.0 kg /154 lbs) VS Peter Davis (70.3 kg /155 lbs)

Featherweight bout: Edward Kelly (65.0 kg /143 lbs) VS Ev Ting (65.8 kg /145 lbs)

Women’s Flyweight bout: Aya Saeid Saber (56.5 kg /125 lbs) VS Ann Osman (56.4 kg /124 lbs)

Featherweight bout: Tanaphong KhunhanKaew (65.7 kg /145 lbs) VS Bashir Ahmad (65.8 kg /145 lbs)

Flyweight bout: Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (56.4 kg /124 lbs) VS Saiful Merican (56.6 kg/125 lbs)

Bantamweight bout: Stephen Langdown (60.9 kg /134 lbs) VS Raymond Tan (60.9 kg /134 lbs)

UNDERCARD

Bantamweight bout: Anatpong Bunrad (61.2 kg /135 lbs) VS Marc Marcellinus (61.2 kg /135 lbs)

Welterweight bout: Hisham Hiba (76.5 kg /169 lbs) VS Barbod (76.6 kg /169 lbs)