Yabo banking on experience ONE clash vs Pucci

MANILA, Philippines – Jimmy Yabo is old. But he believes that is exactly his advantage against Bruno Pucci in their featherweight clash this June 30.

The Cebuano Yabo will be locking horns with the Brazilian Pucci in ONE Championship's "Light of a Nation" fight night in Myanmar. 

“Experience is the key. Bruno Pucci is young and talented, but I have been around for so long. I am ready for this given task to fight him," Yabo offered.

With a 5-4 win-loss record, Yabo is looking to arrest a two-game losing skid. But while he is coming into the cage seeking his first win in over a year, he prides himself to have pulled off his wins through either knockout or technical knockout.

"My advantage coming into this fight is my experience. I have fought different caliber of opponents throughout my career," the 36-year-old fighter said. "Don't count me out yet."

"I am to go back to the Philippines with the sweet win," he added.

"One punch or one takedown can change a fight. I have to be the clear winner. I am prepared for this fight, but I need to execute my game plan suitably on fight night to go home with the win," Yabo shared.

Pucci is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace out of Brazil. At 26, the grappling specialist flaunts a line of accolades that include back-to-back gold medals at the No Gi Grappling World Championships. He has also won five of his pro career's nine matches.

“I shouldn’t be overconfident in this fight. He may be a young fighter, but he presents a stiff test. I have to be careful,” he added.

And while his words come in a cautious tone, the combat athlete out of Sel-Def MMA is optimistic of the fight's result.

“I am very confident that I can win this one. I learned my lesson from defeats. It’s time for me to rise up and make a statement," he said.

“A win will put me on the right track. That’s why I want to get this one. I know it will not come easy. Although I am the veteran in this fight, I don’t want to be complacent. I will just do my best," the lone Filipino on the fight night closed.

"Light of a Nation" will be headlined by the title defense of Middleweight kingpin Vitaly Bigdash opposite challenger and hometown hero Aung La N Sang.