Carlo Bumina-ang watched closely as old rival “The Tormentor” Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu captured the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Championship with a stunning fourth-round rear-naked choke submission of Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade at ONE Fight Night 38 this past December, energizing him for ONE Fight Night 39.
The Mongolian warrior’s coronation stirred powerful emotions for the Team Lakay standout, who suffered his first promotional loss to Baatarkhuu via last-second submission merely a year and a half ago.
Now, the 31-year-old Filipino striker has made his intentions clear – he wants another shot at Baatarkhuu, but this time with 26 pounds of gold on the line. However, championship aspirations must wait, as Bumina-ang is scheduled to face undefeated Brazilian rising star Marcos Aurelio in a bantamweight MMA clash at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 23, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, streaming live in U.S. primetime.
For Bumina-ang, the path to redemption begins at ONE Fight Night 39 with the 21-year-old Brazilian finisher, who brings a perfect 8-0 record and well-rounded finishing ability to his promotional debut. Bumina-ang understands that building a winning streak represents his only route back to facing the fighter who handed him his most heartbreaking defeat.
Filipino Contender at ONE Fight Night 39 Inspired by Rival’s Championship Coronation
Bumina-ang felt nothing but admiration when watching Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu make history at ONE Fight Night 38. The Mongolian’s submission victory over former titleholder Fabricio Andrade showcased the relentless determination and complete skill set that makes “The Tormentor” a special fighter.
For Bumina-ang, witnessing his former opponent reach the sport’s pinnacle created a complex mix of emotions. Rather than feeling envious, the Filipino standout found inspiration in Baatarkhuu’s journey from developmental fighter to world champion.
“It was a very impressive performance. He’s a complete fighter, and he’s an absolute warrior. I was so impressed,” Bumina-ang said. “That guy is unreal and tough as nails. He has this undeniable warrior’s mindset. He never gave up. His hard work really paid off, and I’m inspired by him.”
The genuine respect Bumina-ang showed for his rival’s achievement demonstrates the character that separates professional competitors from bitter adversaries ahead of ONE Fight Night 39. Witnessing Baatarkhuu achieve his dreams reinforced the Filipino’s belief that championship glory remains within reach for those willing to endure setbacks and continue pushing forward regardless of temporary defeats.
Team Lakay Standout Eyes Title Shot After Buzzer-Beater Loss
The history between these fighters remains fresh in Bumina-ang’s memory. Their August 2024 encounter at ONE Fight Night 24 saw the Filipino striker perform admirably through the opening round, showing competitive spirit and technical skill against the Mongolian contender. However, Baatarkhuu secured a guillotine choke submission with just one second remaining in round two, snatching victory from what appeared headed toward a competitive third frame.
The heartbreaking manner of defeat – losing literally in the final second before the bell – created lasting motivation for Bumina-ang to prove that outcome doesn’t represent his true capabilities. Now that Baatarkhuu wears the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title belt, the stakes for a potential rematch after ONE Fight Night 39 have increased exponentially.
“Congratulations on your success, Enkh. I wish you well. I hope I can earn a rematch with you soon. Maybe if I can win three or more fights, we can meet again,” Bumina-ang said.
The Filipino’s honest assessment about needing consecutive victories before deserving a title shot demonstrates realistic understanding of how championship opportunities must be earned. Bumina-ang recognizes that fans and matchmakers won’t grant him another chance at “The Tormentor” based on their competitive first round alone – he must prove his worthiness through dominant performances against quality opposition.
Bumina-ang’s Road To Glory Begins At ONE Fight Night 39
The immediate challenge arrives in the form of Marcos Aurelio, whose perfect 8-0 record includes victories via both knockout and submission. The 21-year-old Brazilian brings dangerous finishing ability and all-around skills to his promotional debut, representing exactly the type of hungry fighter looking to use established names as stepping stones toward their own championship aspirations.
Bumina-ang cannot afford to overlook this dangerous test at ONE Fight Night 39 while dreaming of future title fights. In fact, the Filipino standout has identified stylistic advantages that could favor him in this matchup despite Aurelio’s undefeated record. Also, he believes his striking prowess and experience competing against ONE Championship’s elite should overcome the Brazilian’s pedigree.
“His ground game is good, but he’s more of a Muay Thai specialist. He’s a good counter-striker and pressure fighter as well. It plays to my style, actually, because I prefer aggressive opponents,” Bumina-ang said. “He’s a striker, but I won’t underestimate him on the ground. I need to be wary because I believe he’ll try to test my grappling. My two losses were by submission, so he’ll probably think he can take me there. But I’ll prove him wrong if he tries.”
The acknowledgment that both promotional defeats came via submission reveals Bumina-ang’s awareness of what opponents will target. His willingness to address this vulnerability could make him unstoppable moving forward. Victory over Aurelio at ONE Fight Night 39 represents step one on the long road back to title contention and the revenge opportunity that drives “The Bull” forward.
