By Jun Ray Navarres
Filipino slugger Drex Zamboanga is ready make his decision to leap two weight classes from flyweight to lightweight to meet Rahul “The Kerala Krusher” Raju at ONE: FULL CIRCLE this Feb 25.
“I just want to test myself at lightweight first,” said Zamboanga. “If ONE gives me more opportunities to compete in the lightweight division, then that’s fine by me. Also, how many Filipino lightweights are there in ONE? So that’s another reason for my move.”
Legendary Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is the only Filipino who remains in the 77kg weight class and Zamboanga is eager to join him.
“By moving here, I feel like it’s opening another opportunity for Filipinos to become a World Champion, because that’s my goal, to win a World Championship at lightweight,” continued Zamboanga.
Indeed, Zamboanga has already proven his capability by forcing Detchadin “Phetsingkorn” Sorsirisuphathin to tap out to a rear naked choke in the second round of his ONE debut.
But his conditioning coach in Marrok Force MMA Gym in Bangkok sees different.
“I felt like being at flyweight is unhealthy for me. At the same time, it’s risky. I’m a big man, I’m 5-foot-11 and at flyweight, I can’t maximize my strength in matches,” said Zamboanga.
“Most of my fights came at 61 kg before, and it has always been doable, but my conditioning coach suggested that I move to a higher weight class.”
Still, jumping two weight classes takes a lot of toll to the body especially when he’s going to fight bigger and more muscular foes in the frame of Timofey Nastyukhin and “Super” Sage Northcutt.
“That’s the most challenging part for me. This is the first time I’ll be stepping in this weight class. I don’t have the experience yet in facing a legitimate lightweight in an official match, so that’s one thing I have to look out for,” he said.
But different from his other fights may be, “T-Rex” is confident that he will overcome the challenge posted in front of him.
“I worked heavily on my ground game knowing that Rahul is a very good wrestler. But I’m just focused on being a well-rounded fighter for this match,” shared Zamboanga.
“I’m still feeling it to be honest but I don’t think I slowed down. I also feel stronger. The more I add weight, the more I also feel that I add strength.”
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
