After the gallant warriors from Cordillera cemented the Philippines’ place on the international mixed martial arts map, another part of the country is ready to bolster the nation’s legacy in the sport.
This time, it’s the Bicol region’s turn, as one of its brightest homegrown talents — Jayson “Dumangmang Warrior” Miralpez — steps onto the global stage.
The 20-year-old from Labo, Camarines Norte has garnered the opportunity of a lifetime at ONE Friday Fights 85, scheduled for November 1 at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
On the card, he is penciled to duke it out with Brazil’s Robson “The Monkey King” de Oliveira in a strawweight MMA clash.
Miralpez has earned the reputation of being one of the most exciting young prospects in the Philippines today.
Holding an undefeated professional record of 3-0, with all victories coming by way of knockout, he has captured the attention of the local MMA scene.
Now, he is eager to showcase his skills on a much bigger platform and vouch that Bicol has its share of formidable fighters.
Miralpez’s explosive style and knockout power have earned him this chance, but his upcoming bout is far from easy.
His Brazilian opponent boasts a more extensive competitive background with a standing of 6-1 and an impressive 84-percent finishing rate.
De Oliveira has been on a tear since suffering his first loss in April 2023, accumulating five consecutive victories. This includes a notable second-round submission of Rahil Baghirov in his ONE Friday Fights debut this past August.
While Miralpez has displayed a remarkable start to his run, he will need to summon every ounce of determination to compete against a counterpart of De Oliveira’s caliber.
“The Monkey King” has proven himself a daunting adversary and will undoubtedly be looking to extend his streak, making this matchup even more critical for “Dumangmang Warrior.”
Meanwhile, it cannot be denied that Miralpez has everything to gain in this three-round encounter.
A decisive triumph at ONE Friday Fights 85 could propel his career to new heights, possibly bringing him closer to a lucrative $100,000 contract and a coveted seat on ONE Championship’s main roster.
