Cambodian mixed martial artist Meas Meu has vowed to keep his focus and his fighting spirit when he steps into the cage to meet home favourite Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly at ONE: Global Superheroes in the Philippine capital Manila tonight, from 7:30pm Cambodian time.
The 28-year old fighter also claimed he is well prepared both physically and spiritually for his fight at the 10-card event at the Mall of Asia Arena. His featherweight bout is his first fight abroad in ONE Championship.
Meu, who departed from Phnom Penh International Airport on Monday, told The Post from Manila: “Now I can say I am ready for the fight. I don’t feel nervous and I want to show my MMA skills on the international stage after a hard training regime in Cambodia with my club. I want to give much credit to my coach as well.”
The Kampong Thom-born fighter, who has been spent three months in training with Cambodian Top Team, said: “Training and a real fight in the cage are completely different, with different mental set-ups. I have to collect all my spirit and strengthen it during a fight. I will meet a strong opponent and a good MMA fighter but I am not nrevous. My feeling is the same as for any bout.”
Filipino warrior Kelly is an experienced fighter with a nine win and four loss MMA record, with four of his victories coming by way of knockout. Kelly said ahead of tonight’s fight: “I am looking to dominate him for the three rounds, but hopefully I can get the finish.
“A finish will be the perfect way to tell the world I am back [after a loss to Emilio Urrutia in ONE in August].”
Cambodian Top Team trainer Hun Chanreach, also in the Philippines, told The Post: “Kelly does not have many weakness and is an experienced fighter. He has been training with the biggest MMA gym in his country. But I don’t think Meu is intimidated because he is also good at groundwork.”
Meu said: “I will go into the fight calm. My opponent’s style during the fight is to give his enemy a chance first. He is not the kind of fighter who wants to attack first. So I will follow his style – I will not attack him and be patient and wait to take the best chance.”
The father of two is unbeaten in his MMA career, with three submission wins in his five professional fights, with one victory via TKO and the other by decision.
