On Friday, 21 August, French Muay Thai legend Fabio Pinca steps into the ring to compete in mixed martial arts for the first time in his lengthy career.
The 36-year-old battles Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai in a featherweight matchup at ONE: NO SURRENDER III in Bangkok, Thailand.
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Before the action kicks off on Friday night in Thailand’s capital, Pinca explains why he believes he will walk away the victor against the hometown hero.
“He’s an experienced mixed martial arts fighter,” the Lyon native said. “But I have more experience in the fight game.”
The multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion has a stellar kickboxing and Muay Thai record of 99-24-4. Because of that, he makes a convincing argument to support his claim.
That doesn’t mean he’s going to sleep on Wiratchai, who has shared the ONE ring with a myriad of mixed martial arts superstars like Singapore’s Amir Khan and Japanese legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki.
“I watched his fights,” said Pinca, who will be one of seven World Champions competing at Friday’s event. “He’s good. I’m happy to face him for my mixed martial arts debut.”
Having spent nearly two decades competing in the stand-up disciplines, will Pinca struggle in his transition to mixed martial arts? Some might believe that could be the case. But if you ask him, the man from Lyon has a different opinion.
“I’ve been training hard as always, but a bit differently because of the new rules. So, I’ve worked a lot on my ground game – and I love it,“ he said.
“My plan is to beat him in his rules. I’m ready to use all the mixed martial arts weapons. I see a unanimous decision victory for me.”
Catch ONE: NO SURRENDER III on meWATCH, the ONE Championship YouTube channel, or the ONE Super App at 8:30 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT). Also, Channel 5 will broadcast the event on a next-day delay at 1 a.m. SGT on Saturday, 22 August.
Read More From ONE Championship:
Fabio Pinca Set For Mixed Martial Arts Debut Against Wiratchai
5 Reasons Why You Can’t Miss ONE: NO SURRENDER III
Kulabdam Aiming To KO Sangmanee: ‘If I Hit Him, It Will Be Enough’
