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Martin Nguyen Aiming For ‘Redemption’ Bout Against Thanh Le

Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen may have lost his ONE Featherweight World Title, but the Vietnamese-Australian still posses a World Champion’s mindset.

In fact, regaining the belt has been one of the few things on his mind since handing the strap to current ONE Featherweight World Champion Thanh Le late last year.

Nguyen had plans for a bounce-back win against “The Fighting God” Kim Jae Woong at “ONE on TNT II“ this past April, but the bout was scratched due to COVID-19 measures.

Needless to say, “The Situ-Asian” will be ready for Kim should that fight be rebooked. But if it isn’t, he’ll be ready for any challenger that takes the South Koran’s place.

“I’m still staying in shape and I’m still working on what we worked at Sanford in order to be ready for Kim. But in saying that, I’m going to be ready no matter who it is,” Nguyen said.

“If last minute, someone falls out of a title fight, I’ll step up. But at this moment, I’m planning for me versus Kim. I think a lot of people would want to watch that fight.”

Having said that, Nguyen initially thought he would get an immediate rematch against Le because he had dominated for three years as a ONE World Champion, but Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon might get the next shot, according to ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

Nguyen isn’t stressing it, however, because he believes a title opportunity will come sooner or later.

“It is what it is,” he said. “In the near future, I know that I’ll be fighting [Le], so I’m not going to rush into things.”

That’s if he can get past Kim, or whoever his next opponent will be. Regardless, Nguyen wants to take the legitimate route to a World Title bid. And he knows that’ll only happen by doing one thing, and one thing only – winning.

“Ultimately, for me, it’s about redemption. If he feels that he can perform better — I know I can definitely perform better,” Nguyen said.

“I’m not going to talk s*** and swear for my title shot. I’ll do it the right way, and if it’s a victory that I have to get, then I’m going to get that victory.”

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