Asenio “The Filipino Assassin” Balisacan Jr. looks to start the year right for Filipinos as he goes to battle at ONE Friday Fights 48 this Jan. 19 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
It’s a golden opportunity for the Pinoy upstart as he hopes to make T-Rex MMA proud when he takes on Russian striker Kara-ool Changy.
“Excited na po ako na halo-halong emotions,” said the 28-year-old kickboxer.
Though this may be his promotional debut in The Home of Martial Arts, Balisacan is coming in confident all the more that he’s got a bumper crop of veterans backstopping him when he enters the ring.
First is his coach Drex “T-Rex” Zamboanga who had full belief in him that he’s ready for the spotlight.
“Siya ang nagpush sa akin na lumaban. Alam niya siguro na ready na ako for this big stage,” he said.
But that’s not all, with ONE Atomweight MMA contender Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga and Fritz “Kid Tornado” Biagtan also helping him every step of the way.
For Balisacan, just having these people on his corner is already big as he eyes to make an immediate impact in ONE Championship.
“Advantage sa akin kasi experienced na sila at sobrang dami na nilang alam sa mga laban,” he stated. “Sa training camp, sobrang daming technique ang nakukuha ko sa kanila. Sila ang nagpapalakas ng loob ko at sila din ang nagtutulak sa likod ko to move forward sa mga training namin.”
Though he understands the gravity of this match, Balisacan can only promise one thing as he will be the first Filipino to see action this 2024.
“Gagawin ko yung best ko at magbibigay ako ng magandang laban. Maganda rin ang ipapakita ko,” he said.
