Carlo Bumina-ang delivered crushing hooks to spoil Marcos Aurelio's ONE Championship debut, snapping the Brazilian's unbeaten record with a technical knockout at the 50-second mark of round two in their bantamweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 24, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 31-year-old Team Lakay veteran entered the contest seeking redemption after a submission loss to Elbek Alyshov in November. Bumina-ang faced early adversity in the opening round as the taller Aurelio used length and distance management effectively, troubling the Filipino with switch-hitting and footwork.
Bumina-ang remained patient while establishing range with kicks to the legs and body, using the opening frame to gather information about his opponent's tendencies.
"I kept on reading what his reaction was," Bumina-ang said. "Every time that I kicked, he would respond with a kick, and every time I punched, he would punch. So that's what I did. He's good at responding and countering, that's what we saw in the first round. He's good at countering and following up with some one-twos. That's what surprised me."
After gathering intelligence during the first five minutes, Bumina-ang made adjustments in round two. The powerful southpaw began breaking through Aurelio's guard and head movement, timing his moment when the Brazilian went airborne for a left knee. Bumina-ang countered with a left cross that sent Aurelio dazed to the canvas.
Aurelio rose but Bumina-ang finished the sequence with ferocious combinations of lefts and rights to end the contest and hand the 21-year-old his first professional loss.
"I adjusted in the second round, and I set up some kicks, and I got close so he could not throw some big strikes," Bumina-ang said. "When he tried to counter with punches, that's the opportunity that I got. So, I caught him with boxing. I got him with, I think it was a straight, and he got wobbled, but I kept on digging to his body so he couldn't easily recover. So I dropped some knees and punches. I set up a left body shot and a hook to the face, and that's what I caught him with. That's how I got the TKO."
The victory marked Bumina-ang's seventh finish in eight ONE Championship wins, reinforcing his reputation as one of the bantamweight division's most dangerous closers. Despite the dominant performance, Bumina-ang showed respect for Aurelio after the bout and expressed belief in the Brazilian's future.
With redemption secured, Bumina-ang eyes a rematch with ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, who submitted him at ONE Fight Night 24 in August 2024.
"Whatever ONE Championship gives me. I will fight anyone," Bumina-ang said. "But maybe after two or three fights, I'll get the rematch. Enkh, congratulations again, and I will come and meet you again, in the Circle or ring."
