Leandro “Brodinho” Issa can’t wait to jump back into the ONE Championship cage in his adopted home of Singapore, and continue his journey towards the ONE Bantamweight World Champinship at ONE: IMMORTAL PURSUIT.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion is settled and happy with life in Singapore, after taking up the offer of a coaching position at the respected Evolve MMA gym.

Now making his second run under the ONE Championship banner, Issa believes all the pieces are in place for him to succeed in his quest for a ONE world championship to accompany his BJJ title.

“They (Evolve) invited me to stay in Singapore, and had plans to help me compete here in Asia, so I thought it was a good opportunity, and I decided to stay,” recalls Issa.

“Plus, the training here is great. I can learn Muay Thai — we have a lot of Muay Thai world champions here.”

Part of Issa’s drive to succeed stems from his childhood, where his mother helped set him on the right path by supporting her son in his passion for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. 

With his martial arts career paying the bills, he’s keen to achieve the highest level of success possible, and repay his mother for her years of care during his formative years.

“Since I started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I decided that it is what I wanted for my life. And since I started training really hard, I never stopped training,” he explains.

“After I finished school, I took up jiu-jitsu full time. I had great support from my family, because it is not easy, especially when you start, to make money, and my family always supported me. Now, I can make my mom very proud, so I am very happy to do that.”

The 34-year-old faces South Korean contender Dae Hwan Kim on 24 November at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and says he’s excited to compete in front on what’s become home soil for him since his move to the Lion City in 2006.

“I have competed here a couple of times already, and the energy is different,” he said.

“We have all the support here and I can prepare for this match with my teammates. I have some teammates who are also preparing to compete on this card, so we can all prepare together.

“Everybody’s really motivated for this show, and I cannot wait.”

The Brazilian bantamweight is back in ONE Championship after a stint away from Asia competing on the other side of the world. But now he’s back, and armed with more finely-honed skills that he believes can take him all the way to the title, currently held by world champion and fellow Brazilian, Bibiano Fernandes.

He defeated former world title challenger Toni Tauru in his last appearance, showing the world that he’s more than capable of finishing opponents with strikes as well as submissions, claiming a TKO stoppage to set up his bout with Kim.

Since setting up home in Singapore and honing his skills at Evolve MMA, Issa has seen his striking game move on in leaps and bounds, and he says his well-rounded skillset gives him a significant advantage over his South Korean opponent this weekend.

“His game will not match with my game,” he said. “I am a grappler, and I have been doing a lot of Muay Thai for the last eight years.

“I have been training a lot of Muay Thai here at Evolve MMA with all the world champions. I will punch his face, stuff his takedowns, land on top, and grind him.”

Issa says victory on 24 November will position him for a chance to challenge bantamweight kingpin Fernandes, and complete his lifelong martial arts journey by claiming the ultimate prize, the ONE Bantamweight World Championship belt.

“I just defeated Toni Tauru, and he also competed for a title already,” Issa explained.

“So this is a big step for me, as my goal is to be a ONE World Champion. But right now, I am climbing the ladder, so this will be great to watch.”