EXCLUSIVE | Aung La N Sang Calls For Middleweight World Title Shot

With a title shot firmly sitting at the focal point of his mind, Aung La N Sang made a good start to his 2023 campaign. 

Following his demolition job of MMA legend Yushin Okami last November at ONE 163, “The Burmese Python” returned to action and stopped Brazilian veteran Gilberto Gilvao in the first round of their catchweight bout at ONE Fight Night 6: Superbon vs. Allazov on Prime Video last Saturday, 14th January.

The victory, which came in front of a raucous crowd at the the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, has put the Myanmar native on a two-fight winning streak, with two first-round knockouts, and now he’s hot on the trail of reclaiming his ONE Middleweight World Championship. 

That said, as a veteran of ONE, the former two-division king intends to remain respectfully patient in reaping his reward, and he acknowledges that the decision is ultimately up to ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. 

“I’ve been the most dominant champion. I feel like two finishes and two fights should be it, but it’s up to Chatri. I have one run in me, and I need to make the most of it. It’s really up to Chatri and the ONE team,” Aung La N Sang said. 

“I’m ready, man. I’m ready whenever you guys are. I know there’s a card in Denver, that will be cool. My friends and I will show up in any city in the world. We have 60 million Burmese in the world, they’re going to show up no matter which city it is.”

On his arrival to the Circle in Bangkok, the 37-year-old superstar’s reception was enough to drown out the commentary. His star-level in the promotion is, arguably, unrivalled, and he reciprocate the welcome in stunning fashion.

This latest finish was Aung La N Sang’s eighth stoppage inside the opening frame, which the Myanmar MMA icon feels reflects the calibre of his fight team and the preparation they put in.

“For sure, we always want to put on a show. We always want to make our people proud. So, of course, it means a lot, for sure. It means a lot. I mean, it’s hard to describe it. It still feels a little bit unreal right now. But I mean, we worked very hard for this one,” the Kill Cliff FC product said.

The experience of battling his way back to title contention has been a humbling experience for the middleweight standout, and “The Burmese Python” is set to continue giving it his all until he gets where he wants to go.

“Winning my world title back is one of those things, when you’re defending it, it’s a different mindset than when you’re conquering,” Aung La N Sang said.

“I feel like I’m in that conquering mindset right now. I want to conquer and get my world title back. I think that’s going to be a big achievement because the person on top usually falls and it’s usually hard for them to climb back up. I want to be able to climb back up, whatever it takes.”