Team Philippines may have failed to get the sweep they were aiming for in Beijing, but without a doubt, the country owns the most explosive win of the night.
Filipino standout Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado silenced the crowd at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing after his scintillating first-round flying-knee knockout win over Miao Li Tao in their strawweight clash at ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS on Saturday, 16 November.
For the 26-year-old, it was an incredibly sweet victory, especially after two of his compatriots fell to their Chinese counterparts in the preliminary card earlier that afternoon.
Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly and Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales lost to Tang Kai and “Wolf Of The Grasslands” Hexigetu in the preliminaries.
“First of all, I’m really happy because this only shows the fruit of all the hard work and sacrifices that I make every day,” Miado said.
“I had two countrymen who I know wanted to win bad, but unfortunately they fell to their Chinese opponents. That’s why I told myself I’m gonna win for them and I will raise the Philippine flag high.”
“That was an added motivation for me.”
The Marikina City-native sketched a perfect game plan to counter his Chinese opponent’s offense, and based on the outcome, his game plan was well executed
After an early grappling exchange, “The Jaguar” timed Miao’s next move as he anticipated the Chinese athlete’s takedown attempt and countered it with a devastating knee.
Miao was out before he hit the canvass.
“I watched his previous bouts and I noticed the things that he always does. He will throw some combinations, shoot for a takedown, and dominate on the ground. That’s what I prepared for, countering his attacks,” Miado said.
“I worked particularly on two points of attack – my combinations and the flying knee once he attempted to shoot and that’s exactly what happened. I’m happy I executed it perfectly.”
As satisfying as that win was, Miado promises it will only make him hungrier moving forward. He wants to reach new heights for himself and for the people who never stopped believing in him.
“I will work harder in training to get better and stronger,” Miado said.
“What I’m doing is for all the people who never stopped believing in me, especially my family.”
ONE Championship returns to the Lion City for one last time this year with ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS next, Friday, 22 November at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Watch all the action for free by downloading the ONE Super App.
