“An exciting fight between Okami and me” - Aung La N Sang says fans should expect war with Yushin Okami

Former ONE two-division world champion 'The Burmese Python' Aung La N Sang will be traveling to Japan to face one of the country's MMA pioneers, Yushin Okami.

Aung La has been on a dismal 1-3 run since the start of the pandemic and will be looking to get back in the winning column come November 19 at ONE 163.

ONE 163 will be a showcase of Japanese talent both old and new, and Aung La N Sang will definitely face a hostile crowd in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Speaking to SCMP MMA, 'The Burmese' Python gave an update on his preparations and where his mind is at just two weeks before fight day:

"Good, everything's good. Training camp is going well. I'm just excited to get back and showcase what I've been working on in the last half year. We've done everything we need to, we're now just doing the final touches. And you guys are going to see a new version of me and an exciting fight between Okami and me."

Aung La has been looking ferocious in the training room since losing to his rival, former ONE middleweight world champ Vitaly Bigdash, at ONE: Full Circle back in February.

The loss seems to have lit a fire under the Burmese MMA superstar and inspired him to do everything necessary to get back into world title contention.

Watch the full interview here:

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Chatri Sityodtong finds bout between Aung La N Sang and Yushin Okami a "very interesting fight"

During ONE's press conference for ONE 163 in Japan, ONE CEO and Chairman Chatri Sityodtong briefly spoke about the upcoming battle between Aung La N Sang and Yushin Okami.

When asked how the bout between the two middleweight legends came to be, Chatri said:

“When we decided to put Yushin Okami vs. Aung La N Sang, actually it was very easy because both called each other out, I think this makes for a very interesting fight. I believe it’s gonna end in KO. I believe that Yushin has the better wrestling.”

The two middleweight stalwarts urged ONE Championship to put the fight together and the boss graciously obliged. There's no real bad blood between the pair - just a respectful callout between two of the best warriors in Asian MMA.

One could argue that both fighters' careers are on a decline right now and it's for this fact alone that this fight will be an exciting one. Nothing motivates a fighter more than the bitter feeling of a devastating loss.

They say you can see the true mettle of a warrior in how he overcomes defeat. Come November 19, we'll see which warrior will overcome the darkness of the past and reign supreme in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Watch the press conference here: