MANILA, Philippines–Two-division champion Aung La N Sang doesn’t see himself being at a disadvantage facing a bigger and taller challenger in Brandon Vera in ONE: Century at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan on October 13.
If anything, Aung La N Sang believes it’s the other way around with Vera, the reigning heavyweight king, needing to drop down one weight class for their showdown at light heavyweight, a division the Burmese hero has been dominating for a long time.
“He is going to be a big light heavyweight. When he fights at light heavyweight, he has to [lose weight] – when he fights at heavyweight, he can stay comfortable,” Aung La N Sang (25-10), who is the current middleweight and light heavyweight titleholder, said.
“For me, it’s the same thing. When I fight at middleweight, I have to [lose] a little weight. Then at light heavyweight, I don’t have to at all. I just have to worry about getting stronger and being able to move around a bigger person like Brandon Vera.”
It also helps that Aung La N Sang is accustomed to taking on fighters bigger than him in training.
“I work with bigger guys, I work with taller guys, and I work with heavier guys than Brandon Vera,” the Hardknocks 365 athlete said. “When fight night comes along, size and power are not going to be an issue.”
Vera (16-7) may have the height but Aung La N Sang says he has a ton of heart to overcome his biggest challenge yet.
“I think I match up well against him in all aspects of mixed martial arts. My biggest strength would be my heart. I’m a grinder, and I fight with my heart. There is no quit in me. He is going to have to do everything that he can, but I’m going to keep pushing forward, and that’s going to be the key in the fight,” Aung La N Sang said.
“Everybody knows how explosive he is. Everybody knows the power that he has, but I’m going to grind him down and beat him.”