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| Subora wears a small Philippine flag around his head during his walk to the cage. One Championship (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--He may be a Ukranian by blood, but Igor Subora wants to tell the MMA community that he is a Filipino by heart.
“The Philippines is my home away from home. It’s a beautiful country. I met my wife here,” said Subora
“The Philippines is my home away from home. It’s a beautiful country. I met my wife here,” said Subora
Since deciding to make the Philippines his home in 2008, he turned to the sport for a living, and he eventually became a big name locally.
“I am grateful for everything that this country has given me. To me, it’s an honor representing the Philippines in my international fights. The Philippine MMA scene had an important role in my career. I am forever thankful for that. Even though I am Ukrainian, I also represent the Philippines every time I step inside the cage,” he stated.
A testament to his success here in the Philippines is his only MMA title so far, the URCC heavyweight title, which he got in just 49 seconds of his title fight and held for three years.
He would relinquish the title to join One Championship, where his first opponent there is also a big name in Philippine MMA, former UFC veteran Brandon Vera.
After taking a year off, Subora returns, this time moving a weight level down and joining the light heavyweights.
[Related Story: Former Vera foe Subora returns as light heavyweight; Sang replaces Prachnio as Bigdash challenger]
He is set to take on Sherif Mohamed at One: Quest for Power at the Jakarta Convention Center on Saturday, and he wants to tell as well that he is a different fighter than before.
“I am excited to get back in the cage and showcase my newly-acquired skills. The world will see the new Igor Subora,” he vowed.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
A testament to his success here in the Philippines is his only MMA title so far, the URCC heavyweight title, which he got in just 49 seconds of his title fight and held for three years.
He would relinquish the title to join One Championship, where his first opponent there is also a big name in Philippine MMA, former UFC veteran Brandon Vera.
After taking a year off, Subora returns, this time moving a weight level down and joining the light heavyweights.
[Related Story: Former Vera foe Subora returns as light heavyweight; Sang replaces Prachnio as Bigdash challenger]
He is set to take on Sherif Mohamed at One: Quest for Power at the Jakarta Convention Center on Saturday, and he wants to tell as well that he is a different fighter than before.
“I am excited to get back in the cage and showcase my newly-acquired skills. The world will see the new Igor Subora,” he vowed.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
