Even through difficult times, Amir Khan maintains a positive mindset.
After enduring a tough stretch in 2019, the Singaporean athlete rebounded with a split decision win over Malaysian rival Ev “E.T.” Ting at ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS last November.
Unfortunately, the 25-year-old could not carry his winning ways into 2020. The young lion was recently submitted by Japanese grappler Kimihiro Eto in their lightweight tilt at ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE on Friday, 28 February.
Khan has learned valuable lessons from his recent performance and believes it has made him a better competitor.
“I knew that if I made a mistake, he would capitalize, and he did,” Khan said.
“There was a move I did which made me vulnerable, something which I did not expect at that time.
“I’ve typically relied on my explosiveness and athleticism to escape in past situations, so this was something new that I have learned from this experience.”
Khan was quickly overwhelmed by Eto’s high-pressure wrestling style and was forced to tap from a rear-naked choke.
“After he tripped me near the Circle fence and he got into mount, it was an awkward position. So I got into half guard,” Khan continued.
“But I kind of rushed to try and escape, which I shouldn’t [have] because when I went to half guard, I should have gotten an underhook on the left side.
“Instead, I turned my back for a brief moment, and that was when he saw it was open and got the rear-naked choke in.”
After taking several days off to clear his head, the Singaporean moved on from his experience with a positive mindset.
“It is what it is. You cannot change the outcome. All you can do is try your best to learn from it,” he said.
“I have to keep fighting, get back my momentum, and prove it again inside the Circle.”
The Evolve representative is already back in the gym training with his teammates to prepare for his next encounter – even though he is not sure when that might be.
“My coaches and I, we are still discussing and waiting for ONE Championship,” the 25-year-old said.
“We would like to see what is offered next and then discuss. In the meantime, I am still training hard and focused on getting better every day.
“We are going to work on my mistakes, be positive, and when the next opportunity comes, I will get back to it even better than before.”
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