Former Road FC flyweight champion Song Min Jong is back in action this Friday. And the Korean had some harsh words for his opponent Tial Thang.
He accused the Burmese bantamweight of being one dimensional and is clearly not impressed by his striking skills,
“I think that his skills in striking are lacking,” he told the media.
The two will face off at ONE: ‘Battleground’ Part III which is being broadcast tomorrow. Jong says he is in top shape for this contest,
“My condition is way better than my last bout. As far as my training went, it went way better than the last bout.”
Confidence boost
He is coming off a decision loss to Geje Eustaquio at ONE: ‘Inside the Matrix’ Part III. Jong says that going the distance with the former flyweight champion boosted his confidence,
“After my bout with Geje the first thing that popped into my mind is that he’s a true champion and I learned a lot. He’s a former champion so I know what the level is now and I believe I can be one of them (a champion) also.”
Jong actually made his ONE Championship debut in 2012. Afterwards he returned to Road FC and became the promotion’s flyweight champion.
At 29 he is in his peak but Jong did take a four year break after winning the Road FC belt and believes that he needs to make up for lost time,
“Every bout is important to me but this bout is especially important because I am getting older and every bout from now in is getting more and more important. If I lose I’m at the point where I have to think about retiring so I’m desperate for this win and I’m going to give it my all.”
Bold prediction
Also on the card will be 42 year old former strawweight champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke so Jong probably has a few years in him yet. He says he is still improving in several areas,
“First of all the big improvement is my stamina. I worked so hard for this bout that my stamina is the best ever and second, if you see my last bout I focused more on striking but for this bout I worked on every aspect of MMA.”
He also makes a bold prediction for his fight with Thang. Despite believing that the Burmese bantamweight’s striking is not up to scratch Jong says he plans to submit him,
“I will be win by submission!”
