"Set the right example for those young guns" - Cole Abate aims to inspire the next generation of grappling machines

Cole Abate doesn't feel the pressure of being a role model and inspiration for young grapplers that are looking to follow in his footsteps. He instead uses this as motivation every single time that he competes, letting this guide and motivate him to be the best that he can be.

Since signing with ONE Championship, the 20-year-old phenom now has a global platform to inspire others and he doesn't take that for granted.

This past weekend at ONE Fight Night 26, Abate made his ONE debut and took on a certified legend of the sport. The new arrival opened his ONE account with a submission win over Shinya Aoki in what should be the first of many big nights for him in the promotion.

During his in-ring interview with Mitch Chilson after getting the tap, Cole Abate spoke about his goal to inspire others:

"My goal everytime I step on this stage, whether if it's in a ring like this or in a cage, or just any other competition, I feel like I gotta be the best I can for the sport and set the fight example for those guys coming up and just be the blueprint for people to follow especially with those kids being in my shoes that I was in 10 years ago."

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Cole Abate was inspired by key figures like Shinya Aoki

For Cole Abate, ONE Fight Night 26 was probably a surreal moment for the young grappler.

He's certainly no stranger to the spotlight having already accomplished so much at an incredibly early stage in his career.

However, sharing that stage with an icon like Aoki will have been something that Abate could only dream of several years ago.

He's now competing alongside the grapplers that he looked up to as inspiration.

Perhaps the same will happen in many years when Abate is in the role of the veteran taking on the young and hungry competitors.