Zhang Lipeng will see an opportunity to play spoiler on Friday, May 2, at ONE Fight Night 31. The ONE Championship athlete squares off against unbeaten Lucas Gabriel in a lightweight scrap that could push the winner into title contention. “The Warrior” believes he is the better overall athlete and can rely on his experience to stymie the burgeoning star.
“I watched some videos of [Gabriel], who is quite a comprehensive fighter. But I think my all-around effectiveness can still match his. My training is focusing on his takedown defense and some ground techniques,” Zhang remarked to ONE.
The 35-year-old knows the youthful exuberance of his opponent offers some physical challenges. On the opposite side of that coin, Zhang says that he sees some holes from an inexperienced athlete. Still in his athletic prime, Zhang doesn’t feel the number by his age will play a key role.
View this post on Instagram
“Gabriel’s only advantage is that he is much younger than me. After watching his matches, I found that when he’s standing, his bursts of speed are very fast, so we need to prevent that. Although he is 10 years younger than me, I don’t think age is a problem,” Zhang stated
Zhang Lipeng Already Making a Splash
Zhang has already made a statement in 2025, finishing Hiroyuki Tetsuka. Completing back-to-back wins on the global stage will give him a big boost as he chases the upper echelon of the division. That is why he is emphasizing scoring another finish in Bangkok, Thailand.
“If I win this match, I should be able to enter the top five in the lightweight division. My goal is to finish off my opponent,” the Chinese star claimed.
“The Warrior” is not just chasing gold. Zhang sees more than just personal satisfaction from competing these days, as he has taken on the role of teacher. The 35-year-old hopes to lead by example while checking off his personal goals at ONE Fight Night 31.
View this post on Instagram
“I think my motivation to keep competing comes from my love for this sport. Because now, it’s not just me training. I also have my own gym and students. I want to set a good example for my students, both in training and in competition,” the crafty veteran said.
Perhaps the most significant difference to Zhang comes in the mental aspects of the game. Banking on his experience, “The Warrior” says he knows the value of patience. On May 2, those words will be put to the test against his Brazilian foe in an action-packed lightweight battle.
“I think my most significant technical improvements are in my boxing skills, which are constantly improving. Also, my ground skills are something I maintain on a daily basis. More importantly, my mindset has been changing. Now, I am not as impatient as I was when I first started fighting. I am becoming more steady,” Zhang said.
ONE Fight Night 31 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, May 2nd, featuring Zhang Lipeng. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
