Aung La N Sang aims to reclaim middleweight title: “I still want to be champion again”

Amid whispers of retirement, Aung La N Sang remains resolute in his quest to reclaim the ONE Middleweight MMA World Title.

Currently riding the crest of a three-fight winning streak, “The Burmese Python” stands on the precipice of a shot at gold.

While some may suggest that the former two-division king is reaching the tail-end of his celebrated career, he vehemently dismisses such notions.

“I don’t need to be in this sport anymore, but I want to be because I still have that hunger,” he said.

“I still want to be champion again, and I still want to put on great shows for the fans. My job as a professional fighter is not done.”

For Aung La N Sang, there is unfinished business to attend to before hanging up his gloves. The desire to reclaim the middleweight throne burns fiercely within him. It drives him to push his limits and defy expectations.

“That’s the only reason why I keep fighting — to be champion again. That’s the only reason why I’m fighting still. I could retire now, but it wouldn’t be fun,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be fun for the ONE Championship middleweight division.”

Aung La N Sang ready to face Anatoly Malykhin

The ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship is currently in Anatoly Malykhin’s possession.

The Russian hard-hitter won the strap in an epic rematch against Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month. There, he beat “The Dutch Knight” by third-round stoppage.

Already holding the ONE Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Titles, this feat etched Malykhin’s name in the annals of MMA history. It made him the first athlete to hold three major belts in separate weight classes simultaneously.

The prospect of facing Malykhin for 26 pounds of gold brings excitement to Aung La N Sang.

“If we were to fight, there’s no way that any of us would back down, and we’ll put on a great show,” he said.

“Think about it — every fight that I fight, I fight for the finish. Every fight that he fights, he fights for the finish. There would be no yellow card in that fight. It would for sure be a barnburner for the fans.”