Amir Khan is out to prove to everyone that he is still one of the very best in the ONE Championship lightweight division when he battles Ev “ET” Ting at ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 22 November.
Khan dropped his last three bouts against Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Ariel “Tarzan” Sexton, and Saygid Guseyn “Dagi” Arslanaliev – all top opposition at ONE. Still, Khan believes he belongs with the best of the division. But that starts with a convincing performance against Ting.
“I want to prove that I belong, because right now I’m coming off a losing streak, so a lot of people are doubting me. Not only to everyone, but I just want to prove to myself that I am a top-level [mixed martial artist], and I can come back and rise again,” Khan said. Looking back on his losses, the 24-year-old admits he was over-eager at times, but his enthusiastic approach lead to a more focused Khan.
“I just learned to be more patient. I feel like I was rushing and that I was more focused on the outcome rather than the fight. I would be looking at what happens after the fight, like I’m going to celebrate, I want to win, and how I feel after the fight. I was focusing on that instead of the fight itself.”
Khan remains confident that he will come out of the Singapore Indoor Stadium as the victor. And the Evolve MMA standout is targeting a convincing win, a win that could showcase everything he has been working on over the past couple of months.
“I expect to come out as a winner, and I want to get a good win. I don’t just want a one-punch knockout — I want to show my skills all-around. I want to have one or two rounds with him and showcase my skills throughout,” Khan said.
“I just need to be patient, not rush to anything, and not use too much energy for no reason other than to display my skills at the best level. I will still go for the finish, but I’m not thinking about it.”
“I’m sure I will get it, but I am not really too focused on that. I am just focused on displaying my skills.”
With the match just two days away, Khan is in the best shape of his life and he just cannot wait to end his slump at the Malaysian’s expense.
“Physically and mentally, I feel good. I got five or six months since my last fight, so I had a lot of time to analyze and work on certain things,” he said.
“Right now, especially mentally, I’m at the best I can be. I’m not distracted. I’m super focused, and I know what I have to do to get the victory.”
ONE Championship returns to the Lion City for one last time this year with ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS on 22 November at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.