The 33-year-old Filipino fighter Jeremy Miado aims to turn his 10-year age gap over the younger Willie Van Rooyen to an advantage in their ONE Fight Night 41 duel.
Jeremy "The Jaguar" Miado is determined to fight his way into the flyweight MMA title picture with a decisive performance at ONE Fight Night 41.
The Filipino finisher squares off against undefeated South African star Willie "White Lion" Van Rooyen on Saturday, March 14 (Philippine time) at ONE Fight Night 41 on Prime Video at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
[RELATED: Jeremy Miado set to face Willie van Rooyen at ONE Fight Night 41]
Stylistically, this bout presents a fascinating clash of near-identical approaches.
Both athletes bring explosive striking arsenals, surgical precision, and fight-ending power capable of producing instant knockouts.
Though their credentials are forged through stand-up exchanges, each man has proven equally lethal on the canvas, boasting submission finishes throughout their careers.
With two elite finishers set to meet in the Thai capital, Miado anticipates an electrifying encounter.
"We basically have the same style, so I think this comes down to heart, conditioning, and who wants it more," he said.
"Fights are not determined by strength alone. I believe fight IQ and being calm and collected are bigger factors. I believe my experience and patience will make the difference."
That experience becomes especially crucial considering the substantial age difference separating the competitors.
At 33 years old, Miado carries ten years more ring wisdom than his 23-year-old counterpart. Additionally, Van Rooyen watched his unblemished 7-0 slate crumble during his promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 37 last November and now seeks immediate redemption.
Yet the Alpha Fitness and P'Chai Muay Thai & MMA representative refuses to see his years as a liability.
The seasoned veteran views his age as validation of his proven track record on the sport's biggest platform.
"Age is just a number in MMA. Yes, he's young and hungry, but I've been through many battles inside ONE Championship. I've learned a lot from every win and every loss. That experience gives me maturity and confidence inside the Circle, and I believe that will help me a lot in this fight," he said.
Undeterred by his recent setbacks, Miado maintains confidence in rediscovering the devastating form that produced four straight finishes at strawweight and positioned him as a legitimate title threat.
The Filipino stalwart aims to shake up the loaded flyweight MMA landscape and re-enter the championship discussion.
"My goal for 2026 is to stay active, keep winning, and climb to the top of the division. I want bigger fights and stronger performances. I'll take it step by step, but I'm focused on making this my comeback year and getting closer to title contention," he said.
Ahead of this pivotal showdown, Miado thanked his unwavering Filipino supporters who have remained loyal through triumph and adversity alike.
"To all Filipino fans, thank you for your undying support. Through all the ups and downs, you're always there for me. I promise to give my best and represent the Philippines with pride. I'll fight until the end for all of you," he said.