GIORGIO PETROSYAN
-What new elements have you added to your game in preparation for this bout here?
“When I step into the ring, I always want to win. I always focus on the quality of opponent that I will face. In this case, I can tell you that you will see a Giorgio Petrosyan different than usual.”
-How do you feel about competing at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena?
“I am really excited to go to the Philippines to compete and to show my skills to a new fan base. I love to travel, and I love to meet new people. ONE Championship looks to be a great organization, so I am really happy to have this opportunity.”
-How do you feel about competing for a great martial arts promotion like ONE as they branch out into this new offshoot of their promotion with ONE Super Series?
“It’s a new beginning for me. You can say that it’s a breath of fresh air for my career as an athlete. I am excited to be in this new journey. I hope everything will turn out great for me as part of the growing ONE Championship roster.”
-Does a certain pressure come with being discussed as one of the pound for pound best kickboxers in the world or does that galvanize your efforts and boost your confidence?
“I am looking forward to putting on a great performance. I have been training hard and going through strategies. I hope to give my 110 percent in Manila.”
-What are your thoughts on MMA promotions like Bellator and ONE Championship adopting their own offshoot kickboxing brands?
“It adds more versatility to their events. It gives other martial artists and practitioners opportunities to be showcased on a global scale. It’s good for the martial arts landscape.”
-With such a decorated and well-regarded career, what goals do you have going forward and what motivates you to keep that fire burning internally?
“I want to go step-by-step and focus on the match in Manila, which is next. After we get to know each other, and they are happy, there is a big name I would like to face in the future.”
“Nobody made this bout work out before, but if ONE Championship will be able to sign Buakaw to dance with me inside the ring, I am more than willing to accept the offer. I would be really, really happy to do that match with ONE Championship.”
ANDREW LEONE
-What new elements have you added to your game in preparation for this bout here?
“Training is going great. The camp is like a myth — you focus on things when it comes down to more competition time, but always, somebody has a bout coming up. We got a bunch of coaches at Bali MMA.”
“You’ve got Mike Ikilei running the striking program, you’ve got Donnie Carlo-Claus running the mixed martial arts program, and you got a bunch of coaches telling you what to do. There is lots of leadership going on that is spread out.
-How do you feel about competing at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena?
“I love Asia. I’ve been living and competing here for a very long time. I’ve been to different countries and cities, including Manila. Manila is a special place because it’s where I had my promotional debut for ONE Championship.”
“It’s great to have my first match for 2018 in Manila. It feels like I’ve gone full circle.”
-Does being half of the main event feature on this show at all change your mindset or physical preparation?
“I am looking forward to this opportunity against Kevin Belingon. The winner gets the rematch with Bibiano Fernandes, and I am excited for this opportunity that ONE Championship has provided, making us the headliner on arguably the biggest card in ONE history.”
“We are going to go out there and put on a good performance for the Filipino fans, and for the world.”
-Rebounding from losing to Bibiano Fernandes in your last bout. What do you need to do from here on out to earn another crack at the Bantamweight title?
“I heard Kevin Belingon was supposed to be next in line for the title, but the promotion had other plans. Winning the title is my happy ending in this journey. If I win this, I know I will be in a great position to face Bibiano for the title again.”
-You’ve had some past experience at Flyweight and fought at a 140 lb catchweight. Any interest in journeying outside your regular weight class or is your main focus on 135lbs going ahead?
“ONE Championship’s bantamweight division is still growing. There are a lot of work to do, and the list of outstanding talents keeps on piling. I am excited about the growth of the division.”
-Being that this is your first fight of 2018, what goals do you hope to achieve this calendar year?
“A win in this match will definitely put me in line for a rematch against Bibiano. I want that title shot again. If Kevin Belingon is blocking my way to earn that spot, I have to take him out. I will give everything I’ve got.”
MARAT GAFUROV
-What new elements have you added to your game in preparation for this bout here?
“I am training as usual. I am not expecting any surprises from Emilio, but I have enough experience to know that the match always has an element of unpredictability to it, so I am just doing my job — going to the gym, and eating well.”
-How do you feel about competing at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena?
“It’s great to be in Manila. There is a long list of Filipino warriors, and from I’ve heard, Manila is passionate about the sport. It’s an honor to perform in front of them on Friday.”
-You’re entering this fight on the heels of your first professional loss. Has your mindset or physical approach to martial arts differed at all in the wake of that defeat?
“Not that much. I am still driven and hungry. My opinion has not changed since I faced Martin Nguyen. He is a good athlete, but not an exceptional one. When he won against me, it was a lucky punch. What can I say? He is a lucky guy! He should enjoy being a champion now, because I will come back for my belt soon, and I will take it.”
-Where does an impressive win here put you in contention for a title match with the winner of Lee vs Nguyen?
“The featherweight division has been growing. It is full of strong, well-rounded athletes, and Christian is one of the top guys there. But I am confident that I can beat them all. Christian is a young guy who is getting a momentum, but he is not a serious opponent for me. However, he will go far. The kid has got potential.”
“This match with Emilio is going to be my first step on the way back to the top.”
-Why do you feel Dagestan is currently breeding so many elite level fighters in MMA nowadays?
“We come from a culture of fighting. It’s impossible to grow up in Dagestan as a boy and not fight. Where I come from, the general opinion is that a man must be strong physically, and mentally, and he always should be able to protect himself, and his family.”
-If you were somehow forced to choose, would you rather a rubber match with Martin Nguyen or another shot at the ONE Featherweight championship?
“There are good guys in the division now such as Christian Lee and Li Kai Wen, and I am looking forward to squaring off against them soon.”
“But make no mistake, I am coming back for my belt, but for now my goal is to eliminate Emilio. I am stronger on the ground. My mental resilience and my physical endurance are also top-notch.”
KEVIN BELINGON
-What new elements have you added to your game in preparation for this bout here?
“We have a great formula for success at Team Lakay. We train every aspect of our game, whether it’s striking, wrestling, or jiu-jitsu. Personally, however, I have put extra hours into my ground game because I know it’s a huge area of improvement for me. Andrew Leone is a great wrestler, and I have to be ready at my peak physical form.”
-How do you feel about competing at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena?
“I am excited because the bout will be held in Manila. It favors me because it is always a delightful experience to perform in front of my countrymen at the Mall of Asia Arena.”
-Does being half of the main event feature on this show at all change your mindset or physical preparation?
“My opponent is not easy, and I am not taking him for granted, which is why I am completely focused on my upcoming bout this April 20. I need to be at my absolute best, so I can turn in another great performance for the fans.”
-With a win here, you’ll be on a five-fight win streak at Bantamweight. Do you see an impressive win here garnering you a rematch with Bibiano for another crack at ONE gold?
“Becoming the champion has been my goal since my career started. It is a lifelong dream for me. I need to win my next bout to keep that dream alive. I know Andrew Leone is a tough opponent, and I need to be at my best to win. It’s going to be one of my biggest matches to date. I know what’s at stake. I need to win to get another title shot.”
-Started your run in ONE with a 4-5 record before entering the win streak you’re currently riding. What changes did you make in your approach to get more traction and stability with your performances?
“I’m always training to improve my ground skills. I also train extensively with my other Team Lakay comrades. We also go down to Manila quite often to get some good work on the mats. There are a lot of talented grapplers in Manila, and learning this art has been a great experience.”
-Being that this is your first fight of 2018, what goals do you hope to achieve this calendar year?
“I know I will meet Bibiano again in that cage. There is not a day that has passed that I have not thought about that first bout against him. I am ready to face the champion. I am ready, more than ever. But for now, my goal to win and defeat Andrew Leone. I want to keep my dream alive.”
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