Filipino fighter Richard Corminal sets his sights on a colossal goal in his ONE Championship debut as he aims to make a statement against Thai combatant Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai.
Both men are set to square off against each other in the co-headliner of ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM, which takes place at the 12,000-seater Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Corminal, who holds a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) record of 4-1, is not expecting to be the other competitor’s footstool to move up in the rankings as he intends to have his hand raised in his opponent’s home territory.
“It’s my first time to compete in ONE Championship. Of course, I am aiming to get a huge win. I’ve worked hard just to make it here. I won’t waste this opportunity,” he claimed.
However, the 35-year-old Filipino lightweight standout is fully aware that pulling off an upset victory over Wiratchai will be a tough task.
A proud product of Bangkok Fight Lab, Wiratchai is a staple in exciting and memorable battles inside the ONE Championship cage.
Wiratchai is also known as a well-rounded fighter as he trains in various martial arts disciplines, including Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
An offensive innovator, the 28-year-old Bangkok native likes to be creative with his striking, employing a myriad of unpredictable off-angle elbows and kicks.
“We are keenly studying my opponent for this fight. He is a more experienced fighter than I am. I know what he is capable of doing inside the cage. He has a good Muay Thai background. Even though he is a striker, he also has a good ground game,” Corminal said of Wiratchai.
Even though Wiratchai seems to have the upper hand in the striking department, Corminal has no qualms when it comes to trading kicks and punches with his Thai foe.
“My foundation is Muay Thai. I have no problem if he wants to fight standing up. I am already expecting that he will trade strikes with me. I can strike too,” he cautioned.
With all of his career victories to date coming by way of knockout, Corminal vows to notch a decisive triumph in his favor.
“I take pride in being an exciting competitor inside the cage, willing to please the crowd by always seeking the highlight-reel finish. In my ONE Championship debut, fans are in for a treat,” he stated.
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