MMA: 'My goal is to win a world title for Malaysia' - Gianni Subba

Top Malaysian mixed martial arts (MMA) prospect Gianni Subba is ready to take on his toughest opponent yet, Geje Eustaquio in tonight’s bout dubbed ONE: Global Rivals in Manila.

Though admitting that Filipino fighters are some of the strongest, the 22-year-old said he has no fear to test his skills against Eustaquio.

“Filipinos are known to be durable and strong, the strategy is to beat Geje everywhere, I'm not afraid to test my striking and I'm confident in my ground game,” he said in an interview recently.

Subba lost to Eugene Toquero during his last match up with a Pinoy fighter, but the former is known to be one of Malaysia’s best flyweight fighters.

“It’s just another fight, I learned a lot from that loss and have moved on, I've grown a lot in the fights after, this fight will showcase that,” he said while admitting that Eustaquio is also tough like the rest of the opponents before.

At the age of 19, he knocked out veteran Singapore fighter, Bruce Loh in an impressive bout that lasted only 30 seconds!

Asked on his feeling when he knew he was about to face Eustaquio, a former title-challenger, Subba said he wasn’t surprised.

“He's fought some of the best in the division and I'm working my way up, it was inevitable.

“Whatever ONE Championship has planned for me, the goal is to win a world title for Malaysia ... if I have to wait it will just be more time to work on my game,” he said.

Apart from gaining support from fellow Malaysians and the Sports Ministry, Gianni has garnered huge following from Nepal too!

Fight fans will also witness world champion and American fighter Ben ‘Funky’ Askren returning to defend his title against Russian opponent, Nikolay Aleksakhin.

Global Rivals is scheduled to take place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.