“I really was choked up on words” - Nico Cornejo feels ‘blessed’ to have been noticed by ONE Championship

Nico Cornejo wants to make a big entrance when he marks his promotional debut against rising star Adrian Lee at ONE 168: Denver on September 6.

In fact, the American MMA fighter was surprised and full of gratitude when he heard that ONE Championship noticed him in the first place. Even before that, he had always thought of ONE to be at par with the Olympics in combat sports.

The 34-year-old hometown hero will look to capitalize on this unbelievable opportunity with a victory over Lee in his backyard in the Ball Arena, especially because it is one of the biggest cards of the year on U.S. soil.

Ahead of this stacked card, he told ONE Championship:

“I was taken aback. I really was choked up on words. Excited. Nervous. Scared. You know, happy. And just everything that I’ve put in, my blood, sweat, and tears. Literally, blood, sweat, and tears."

Cornejo added:

"To finally have someone take notice, I never thought ONE would, but man, I am blessed.”

ONE 168: Denver will air live and for free in U.S. primetime to all North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription, while tickets for the major spectacle are still available via Ticketmaster.

---

Nico Cornejo aims to make a name for himself in the global stage

While knowing that he has yet to prove anything in the world's largest martial arts organization, Nico Cornejo brings a big dream for his name and legacy.

The Colorado native wants to make himself recognized by taking full advantage of this huge opportunity when he faces Adrian Lee at ONE 168: Denver this September.

Nico Cornejo told MMA UK in a recent interview:

"Honestly, I let my work do most of the talking. What I do in the cage, what I do outside the cage, you know. And I'm just trying to make a name for myself."

ONE 168 will be ONE's second live on-ground event in the United States after ONE Fight Night 10 last year, also in Denver, Colorado.