‘I Have More Grit’ – Undefeated Marcos Aurelio Ready To Prove Heart Conquers All At ONE Fight Night 39
“Peruano” Marcos Aurelio will bring more than just technical skill to his ONE Championship debut at ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek vs. Dayakaev on Prime Video.
The undefeated Brazilian carries an unshakable belief and relentless heart into the ring when he fights, combined with his unbridled knockout power and superior grappling acumen.
This Friday, January 23, live in U.S. primetime, the 21-year-old will face Filipino powerhouse Carlo “The Bull” Bumina-ang in a three-round bantamweight MMA contest that will be broadcast live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
After refining his craft in his native Rio de Janeiro, Aurelio dominated the American regional circuit with a pristine 8-0 record that earned him an invitation to the world’s largest martial arts organization.
However, there is no grace period. The Brazilian has been thrown immediately into the fire.
His opponent Bumina-ang is a proven finisher in the promotion’s bantamweight MMA division, with six of the Filipino’s seven victories coming by knockout or submission. The Team Lakay standout’s relentless pressure and dirty boxing have troubled elite competition.
Knowing the danger ahead, Aurelio left nothing to chance in his preparation for “The Bull,” and he’s confident there will be no surprises on fight night.
The Academia Mutaru representative shared:
“I studied my opponent extensively. I analyzed every detail, wrote a lot about him, and spent a great deal of time thinking about his mistakes and successes, his strengths and weaknesses. I studied him more and more each day, both inside and outside of training.
“My opponent is left-handed, with a very strong backhand, especially with his left hand and leg. Furthermore, he’s a well-rounded fighter with good grappling skills.”
But Bumina-ang isn’t the only finisher with firepower in this contest. Apart from his perfect MMA record, Aurelio is also a WMF Muay Thai Champion, with four knockout victories showcasing his ferocious striking prowess.
His strong jiu-jitsu background also allows him to remain dangerous even if the action hits the canvas, as evidenced by two slick submission wins on his resume.
Beyond his tactical awareness, however, Aurelio believes his greatest gifts come from something far more than himself.
The Brazilian knockout artist continued:
“Bumina-ang always shows that he wants more, but he doesn’t want more than me. I don’t beat my opponents because I’m stronger or more technical than them. I win because I have more grit.
“I win with my faith. My strength doesn’t come from me, my technique doesn’t come from me, my will doesn’t come from me, my grit doesn’t come from me. It’s something much greater, something divine. Because it was never me — it was always God.”
That unwavering faith keeps Aurelio grounded while simultaneously fueling an unshakable confidence, no matter the odds.
The ONE debutant will enter this bout as the underdog against Bumina-ang, who has already proven himself in the promotion’s fiercely competitive 145-pound ranks.
Still, no fighter is unbeatable, and Aurelio is ready to make an example out of the Team Lakay star:
“I’ve studied him. Like every fighter, he also has flaws, and I’m going to exploit those flaws.”
Aurelio Ready To Seize His Moment On The Global Stage
Aurelio’s journey to ONE began in modest circumstances back home, where he found both refuge and opportunity through martial arts growing up. The sport became his salvation, but it demanded sacrifice.
While others his age pursued typical teenage distractions, Aurelio poured every ounce of energy into his craft. He stayed disciplined, avoiding temptations and committing his entire life to the sport he loves.
Through every hardship and obstacle, his faith carried him forward, ultimately delivering him to the grandest stage in martial arts.
“Peruano” shared:
“God gave me the opportunity to train every day, every hour, every moment. Health to train, spiritual and mental peace. And I dedicated myself completely.
“I left every drop of sweat in there. Every single drop. Wherever [it goes], I am ready – whether in striking or grappling. And, once again, to the whole world, I will show that it was never me, but always God.”
After years of dedication, Aurelio has achieved his goal of reaching ONE. But now comes the hard part — proving he belongs. He refuses to let this golden opportunity slip through his fingers.
On January 23 in Bangkok, the world will finally witness what the Brazilian is truly capable of. For the young warrior, competing at this level represents the culmination of everything he’s worked for.
Aurelio concluded:
“I am very excited to know that, once again, I will be able to show my purpose to the world at the biggest event in Asia and one of the biggest events in the world.”
