‘I’m Ready For Anything’ – Rising Star Lucas Gabriel Plans To Pass Toughest Test Yet At ONE Fight Night 31
Brazilian upstart Lucas Gabriel is eager to prove he’s a true force in ONE Championship’s lightweight MMA division when he makes his U.S. primetime debut this Friday, May 2.
The 25-year-old will take on dangerous Chinese veteran “The Warrior” Zhang Lipeng at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Prime Video, which broadcasts live from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
For Gabriel, it will mark the most difficult test of his nearly flawless 10-fight professional career.
He recently spoke to onefc.com and was quick to praise Zhang, who holds a significant experience advantage:
“I know Zhang Lipeng is a strong and experienced opponent. He has fought in major events, so I believe he will be a great challenge for me.”
Indeed, the 35-year-old Chinese fighter is no stranger to facing the best of the best, and he will come into this contest following a sensational first-round finish in February at ONE Fight Night 28.
Gabriel, though, has racked up three straight wins at ONE Friday Fights to announce himself as a serious threat on the global stage.
He’s now excited to make his mark in front of an even bigger audience – and he’s identified more than one path to victory:
“I see a lot of gaps in Zhang’s game, both on the ground and standing, and I want to take advantage of those gaps.”
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a dynamic striking game, Gabriel has impressed fans with his relentless pressure and world-class grappling prowess.
His perfect promotional record and ruthless finishing instincts make him a dangerous matchup for anyone in the division.
But beyond his physical gifts and technical abilities, the Brazilian is buoyed by his supreme self-confidence. No matter how the matchup with Zhang plays out, he’s positive he’ll emerge victorious:
“I don’t like to talk about predictions because MMA is full of surprises, but I’m very confident that I’ll win. If the match is on the ground, I’ll be ready. If I need to take him down, I’ll take him down. And if the fight goes to striking, he’ll be frustrated. I’m ready for anything, and I hope to have an excellent performance and win.”
Gabriel Plans To Rely On Versatility
Zhang Lipeng represents Lucas Gabriel’s most significant challenge to date. After all, “The Warrior” brings extensive high-profile experience and a battle-hardened skill set that will surely test the Brazilian’s abilities.
While Gabriel admitted as much, that doesn’t mean he’s worried about the outcome:
“He is dangerous both standing and on the ground, has a lot of knockout power, and has a lot of submissions in his career. He is a complete MMA fighter, just like me, but I believe I am better than him in all areas, and I will prove that in the fight.”
Knowing that a fourth consecutive victory would likely earn him another step up in competition, Gabriel is hungry to make a statement at ONE Fight Night 31.
Not intimidated by his foe’s lengthy resume, he said that his own adaptability will be a major key to victory.
“I have a very versatile game and movement that can confuse him. I can fight both standing and on the ground. I am a black belt in jiu-jitsu, and I consider myself an experienced striker, so wherever the fight unfolds, I will be ready.”
