ONE Championship: Kang Ji-won calls out Brandon Vera after heavyweight title shot snub
- ‘Mighty Warrior’ looks to move forward and take out former champ Vera after being passed over in favour of Anatoly Malykhin
- ‘Arjan Bhullar called me out … I think that’s reason enough for me to get a title shot,’ says South Korean
After seeing his ONE Championship heavyweight title shot slip away, Kang Ji-won is eyeing up the next best thing – taking out the former king, Brandon Vera.
Kang (5-0) made it back-to-back wins in ONE with a statement knockout of Iranian debutant Amir Aliakbari on March’s Fists of Fury II card in Singapore, but suffered a torn retina in the process.
The 26-year-old South Korean has sat idle since, undergoing multiple surgeries and focusing on rehabilitation, but is now fully recovered and back training as he waits for an opportunity.
Sadly for “The Mighty Warrior”, Anatoly Malykhin (10-0) also knocked out Aliakbari last month in a heavyweight title eliminator, and will get the first crack at Arjan Bhullar (11-1). Kang considers the Russian a friend, but was somewhat perplexed at being passed over by the promotion.
“As soon as [Bhullar] became champion, right there in that Circle in the post-fight interview, he called me out,” Kang told the Post. “I didn’t call him out, he called me out. So I think that’s enough reason for me to get a title shot.
“Champions usually don’t call out challengers. It’s actually [the] opposite way, because challengers want that opportunity.”
Kang is not dwelling too much on seeing the title shot fall through his fingers, and wants his own eliminator against the 44-year-old Vera (16-9, one no contest), whom Bhullar beat via second-round TKO to claim the belt in April.
“The next one on my list will be Brandon Vera,” Kang said. “He’s old. He came from the UFC but I don’t think he’s the same any more, so I think I really have a good chance in that fight.
“To Brandon Vera, I really respect you. I really look up to you as a fighter and I believe our fight will be very explosive. A very exciting fight the fans will love. So I’ll make sure I prepare well and I’ll be there.”
When it comes to whom he expects to face for the title down the line, Kang sees the Indian “Singh” retaining against Malykhin, having extensively studied the champ during his recovery.
“This fight will be between great wrestlers,” Kang said. “Because of that clash of styles, I believe this fight will end up on the feet in striking. Arjan Bhullar has great eyes. He’s very fast and he can see all those punches coming.
“I see Anatoly trying to go in, trying to pressure him like he did against Aliakbari. But I believe Bhullar will stay calm, watch all those punches coming and win by decision. His past UFC fights, he has a lot of decision wins. He knows how to go the distance and control the whole fight.”
