"The best is yet to come" - Aung La N Sang eyes career-defining display at ONE 168: Denver
Former two-division MMA world champion Aung La N Sang believes "the best is yet to come" in his fighting career.
Between 2020 and 2021, Aung La suffered back-to-back defeats against Reinier de Ridder, losing both of his world titles in ONE Championship. Since then, 'The Burmese Python' has bounced back with four wins in five fights, including an ongoing three-fight winning streak, all inside the distance.
On September 6, the Myanmar native looks to continue building momentum when he takes on Shamil Erdogan at ONE 168: Denver. Heading into the middleweight matchup, Aung La had this to say during a video posted on his YouTube channel:
"My momentum [heading into this fight] is three wins with three finishes. So I'm looking to extend this streak and I promise you the best is yet to come."
Shamil Erdogan made his ONE Championship debut in June 2023, defeating Fan Rong by second-round knockout. The undefeated Turkish middleweight has an opportunity to skyrocket his value in the promotion if he can emerge victorious against the former two-division MMA world champion at ONE 168: Denver.
ONE 168 goes down inside the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Tickets for the promotion's highly anticipated return to North America can be found here.
Watch Aung La N Sang's previously mentioned YouTube video below:
Is Aung La N Sang poised for another world title run?
Aung La N Sang has fought at light heavyweight and middleweight, with a recent focus on the latter. Before focusing on a title shot, 'The Burmese Python' must take out Shamil Erdogan in impressive fashion at ONE 168: Denver.
If Aung La secures the win, he could find himself matched up against the middleweight king, three-division MMA world champion Anatoly Malykhin. The question is, when would the 39-year-old receive the opportunity to face Malykhin?
On November 8, Malykhin will defend his heavyweight MMA world title against 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane in the ONE 169: Atlanta main event. Regardless of the result, 'Sladkiy' could defend his light heavyweight throne before cutting down to middleweight to fight the winner of Aung La vs Erdogan.
It should be noted that Aung La's light heavyweight experience gives him the chance to fight Malykhin at the higher weight class.