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Paul Lumihi vows redemption at Singapore’s ONE bout
Paul Lumihi from Manado made his promotional debut in 2019, losing to countryman “The Terminator” Sunoto in a close three-round decision. He returned twice later on in the year, but was finished by Zhao Zhi Kang and Li Kai Wen inside the distance.
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Paul Lumihi (right) tries to penetrate into his opponent's body during a recent ONE Championship bout. Paul has vowed to seek redemption at the upcoming ONE: UNBREAKABLE round in Singapore on Friday. (JP/Courtesy of ONE Championship)
I
ndonesian mixed martial arts champion Paul “The Great King” Lumihi has had a rough go in his time inside the ONE Circle.
The 33-year-old Manadonese fighter made his promotional debut in 2019, losing to countryman “The Terminator” Sunoto in a close three-round decision. He returned twice later on in the year, but was finished by Zhao Zhi Kang and Li Kai Wen inside the distance.
Now harboring a three-bout losing streak, Paul wants nothing more than to get back into the winning column and is out for redemption the next time he enters the Circle.
“I take my losses hard. However, after experiencing that, I feel that it is okay to lose. Losing is a common thing. So that doesn’t burden me. Right now, I’m just focused on getting the win here. I am very optimistic,” said Paul.
Paul returns to action at ONE: UNBREAKABLE III, an event scheduled for broadcast on Feb. 5. “The Great King” promises fans a much-improved skillset, one that he can’t wait to showcase.
“The last time I was in the Circle, I was more focused on striking. In all three of my recent losses, I saw that I actually have ground fighting ability. But I wasn’t too confident in utilizing my submission skills,” said Paul.
“I have definitely sharpened my submission and grappling skills. I want to strike with my opponents, but if it is unfavorable for me, having grappling skills would be great. I want to show that in this fight.”
Standing opposite from Paul in the ONE Circle will be rising star Tial “The Dragon Leg” Thang of Myanmar. Thang is so far unbeaten in the ONE Championship, with two big wins. He currently trains with former ONE World Champions Aung La N Sang and Martin Nguyen at Sanford MMA in Florida, United States.
Paul and Thang will do battle in a three-round bantamweight mixed martial arts contest. Paul has done his homework on Thang and has carefully crafted a game plan to put him in a good position for victory.
“I have always studied my previous bouts. It’s a good way to realize a lot of things. I saw several mistakes, especially in the grappling area. So I know what to do in my next fight. Tial Thang is a good wrestler, so my mindset would be to try to outwork him. If I see an opportunity to submit him, I will go for it,” said Paul.
“If I go out there, compete and still lose, it just means it’s not my time to shine just yet. I’m patient, because I know my time will come. I want to thank all the fans for their support.”
ONE Championship returns with ONE: UNBREAKABLE this Jan. 22. It’s the first installment in the three-part event series, and the promotion’s first live event in 2021. The main event features a ONE Super Series showdown between ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov of Russia, who defends his world title against second-ranked bantamweight kickboxing contender Capitan Petchyindee Academy of Thailand.
