"I've got a lot riding on me" Underdog Nico Cornejo looks to capitalize on possible star-making moment by beating Adrian Lee
Nico Cornejo knows that he has a massive opportunity on his hands ahead of his ONE Championship debut.
He has already realized some success in his professional career, but the 34-year-old likely wouldn't have expected his career to play out in this fashion. In just a few weeks' time, he will be getting to compete under the ONE banner for the first time as part of one of the biggest cards of the year.
Faced with teenage prospect Adrian Lee at ONE 168, the contest will be fraught with pressure, even though many will be tuning in to watch his opponent.
Cornejo recognizes that there is pressure on his shoulders to perform because of the people who will be supporting him from the sidelines. He spoke in a recent interview with ONE Championship about what this fight means to him and so many others:
"I am the first fighter out of Pueblo to be signed to a major organization like ONE. I've already got a lot riding on me. I've already got a lot of eyes looking up to me, not only in my kids. I got our youth kids in our gym excited. I got their parents who already bought tickets for the fight."
Nico Cornejo has the chance to make a name for himself on the global stage
Promotional debuts don't get much bigger than the one that Nico Cornejo finds himself stepping into on September 6.
For obvious reasons, Adrian Lee is a prospect that many will have their eyes on, and while that comes with additional pressure, it also gives Cornejo a big opportunity.
Leaving with the win at the Ball Arena or even doing enough to impress could be a massive moment in his career.
'The Steel City Kid' is well aware of this and will now look to grab hold of this opportunity with both hands.
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are available via Ticketmaster.