Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang will defend his ONE Light Heavyweight World Title against Brandon “The Truth” Vera when ONE Championship returns to Tokyo, Japan.
Fresh from defending his ONE Middleweight World Title for the third time at ONE: A NEW ERA on Sunday, 31 March, the Myanmar sports icon was challenged in the cage by the ONE Heavyweight World Champion.
“Mr. Aung La, congratulations on your win tonight. You are a man amongst men,” Vera said.
“I would like to ask – if we are both healthy, we are both in shape, and we both agree – could you and I meet here in Japan in October, and I’ll challenge you for the light heavyweight belt?”
The 33-year-old had no hesitation in accepting the bout.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Brandon Vera, and it would be a great honor for me to fight him in October,” he said.
The match – which is penciled in for ONE: GREATNESS UNLEASHED – also got the seal of approval from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who explained his rationale at the post-event press conference.
“I know these guys have always wanted to battle it out, then Brandon said, ‘Hey Chatri, do you mind if I go into the cage,'” he added.
“I said it was a great idea, and to please do it the Brandon Vera way, which is what he did – super humble and super respectful of their friendship, but also with the mutual respect of World Champions.
“Meeting at light heavyweight, I think that’s going to be an unbelievable war for the fans for our second show in Tokyo.”
Members of the media commented that “The Truth” was looking slimmer than he was for his last bout – a successful World Title defense against Mauro Cerilli in November – and asked whether he was preparing for the match with Aung La N Sang already.
The Filipino hero confirmed that was part of the reason, but he also has some other plans that require him to be leaner.
“It’s not just for the October show. I have a couple of projects in the Philippines – three movies – that I’m getting ready for, so it’s kind of the Hollywood thing as well,” he said with a smile.