Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado is prepared to continue racking up stunning victories for as long as it takes to earn a crack at the ONE Strawweight World Title.
On June 9 at ONE Fight Night 11: Eersel vs. Menshikov on Prime Video, the Filipino MMA star will look to extend his four-fight winning streak when he takes on undefeated promotional newcomer Mansur Malachiev live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Miado’s streak is impressive not just because he’s been beating the world’s top strawweight contenders, but also because he’s earned a finish in each of those victories.
Advertisement
Most recently, the 30-year-old striking specialist took out fan favorite “Mini T” Danial Williams, scoring a sensational third-round knockout of the Thai-Australian last October at ONE on Prime Video 3.
After that performance – arguably the best of his career – “The Jaguar” broke down as he recalled the hard work and effort needed to prepare for such a dangerous opponent.
He told ONEFC.com:
“I was just thinking about all the sacrifices in training, and of course, we all know Danial Williams is a big name. He was on a good run. So I believed it was a great win, and I was overwhelmed by my emotions just thinking that everything I worked hard for was worth it.”
Advertisement
In that fight, Miado largely dominated Williams with his superior stand-up skills.
He’s now preparing for a talented takedown artist in Malachiev. However, he also believes the gains he’s made in his wrestling defense and get-up game will allow him to freely employ his world-class striking.
The Filipino said:
“I wasn’t afraid to throw strikes against Williams because I know that my takedown defense is solid should he try to take me down. If [Malachiev] ever gets me down, I know I can get back up and pick him off with my striking.”
Miado Targets World Title Shot With Victory Over Malachiev
Just because Jeremy Miado is facing a promotional debutant at ONE Fight Night 11 doesn’t mean he isn’t tasked with an incredibly challenging test.
Unbeaten through 10 professional MMA fights with an 80 percent finishing rate and a former two-division champion in Russia, Mansur Malachiev is one of the most talented ONE signees in recent history.
Despite his foe’s accolades and formidable Dagestani-bred grappling attack, “The Jaguar” believes the Russian rising star is in for a surprise on June 9.
Miado said:
“[Fans] can expect me to not fold under pressure. I’m sure there are a lot of eyes on us now because I’m facing an undefeated, double-champ in Eagle FC. People are expecting me to struggle with his wrestling, but I want to prove them wrong. Filipinos are different from who he faced before.”
Advertisement
Miado recognizes that there’s plenty on the line in this fight. A loss would snap his winning streak, effectively putting him back at the end of the line for World Title contention.
That’s a risk the Filipino is happy to take, so long as it means he can prove he possesses the wrestling defense necessary to hang with the strawweight elite.
Miado said:
“I took a risk in this fight. He’s only making his debut, while I believe I’m on my way to being a contender. So, in a sense, he’s lucky because he’s going to zoom past the rankings if he wins. But I took the risk because I want to see where my skills are.
Advertisement
Looking at the top five, almost everyone is a grappler. Mansur, being a high-level wrestler, will test me. I’m excited to see the outcome.”
While a loss would be devastating, Miado believes a victory – especially another highlight-reel stoppage – could land him a date with reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Jarred Brooks.
He added:
“If I impress, maybe I even get Jarred Brooks. Looking at the rankings, Jarred has pretty much beaten everyone in the top five. So yeah, I’m hoping for a great performance.”
