Miao Li Tao Plans To Expose Pongsiri Mitsatit On The Ground

Fresh off the biggest win of his career, Miao Li Tao is ready to take a huge step toward the ONE Strawweight World Title at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES.

Next Friday, 2 August in Manila, Philippines, the Chinese martial artist will take on Thailand’s Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit in a battle of exciting young contenders.

The last time the 26-year-old from Beijing competed in ONE Championship, he took out a Muay Thai Legend and his division’s former top dog, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, with a stunning knockout.

He will face someone who is far less decorated in the Mall Of Asia Arena, but that will not change Miao’s approach.

“To me, it’s the same. I will focus on my training and give my best performance,” he says.

“He is good at kneeing, and he is a very skilled opponent. He is younger [than Dejdamrong], and he has a passion for competition.

“He is a good fighter, especially with his knockout ability, and I am looking forward to the fight on 2 August.”

“The Smiling Assassin” boasts a 72-17 record in Muay Thai as well as his 10-2 mixed martial arts slate, and showed how dangerous he can be with his skills from “the art of eight limbs” in his last match when he finished Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan in the first round.

Having seen that, Miao has devoted extra time in training to defending knee strikes. But if the Chinese star can execute his game plan, he should not have to worry about being on the receiving end of a knockout blow.

“His weakness is his ground game,” the My MMA Academy representative says. “His last two losses have been on the ground, so I want to take him to the ground to end the fight.”

The 26-year-old’s last contest showed he can dominate an opponent with his grappling – especially if they are a striking specialist.

However, he also displayed how comfortable he is when he goes toe-to-toe with an opponent who is supposed to have an advantage on the feet.

It was Miao’s aggression and well-rounded skills that dropped jaws against Dejdamrong, and he expects to entertain the Filipino fans in the Mall Of Asia Arena, and the millions who will watch from around the world.

“I will show you what I have improved. You will watch a wonderful fight with all of my skills and style,” he adds.

“I almost never have a three-round fight – either I end the fight in the first round or second round. I like a quick finish. I have trained very hard so I can show the audience a wonderful fight.”