Coming off a difficult stretch in his career, some may view longtime ONE Championship standout Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado as a veteran now tasked with making younger fighters look good, rather than a legitimate contender still capable of chasing gold.
The 33-year-old Miado, however, sees it differently.
“Age is just a number,” Miado told GMA News Online. “I’ve faced so many tough opponents, and experience is a big advantage.”
The Filipino flyweight returns to action against South Africa’s Willie “White Lion” van Rooyen at ONE Fight Night 41 on March 14 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The bout pits Miado against an opponent 10 years his junior, a detail that has fueled speculation that he is being relegated as a gatekeeper. But Miado is quick to dismiss that narrative.
“I’m not focusing on labels or roles,” he said. “My mindset is to compete at the highest level and prove that I belong in this division.”
Miado last saw action at ONE Fight Night 38 in December, where he suffered a second-round technical knockout loss to Avazbek Kholmirzaev. Prior to that, he halted a four-fight skid with a unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Nakatani last February.
Beyond proving he is more than a measuring stick for emerging talents, the quick turnaround gives the Ilonggo fighter a chance to regain momentum after a rough run that has seen him drop five of his last six bouts.
“I’m hungry to win. I really want to stay active,” Miado said. “I know there’s room for improvements from my last fight.”
—JMB, GMA Integrated News