‘This Moment Is Different’ – Edgar Tabares Determined To Bounce Back From Rodtang Loss

WBC Muay Thai International Champion Edgar Tabares is living his dreams fighting in ONE Championship, but he didn’t join the organization merely for a participation trophy.

The 29-year-old striker looks for his first ONE victory on August 4 when he takes on talented Algerian and #5-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Elias Mahmoudi at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian on Prime Video.

Slated to broadcast live in North American primetime from the world-renowned Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, the bout comes three months after Tabares’ promotional debut – a difficult knockout loss to flyweight Muay Thai kingpin Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE’s blockbuster debut on American soil.

The Mexican is thrilled to return so quickly for his sophomore appearance in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

To add to the excitement, he’ll be fighting in the Mecca of Muay Thai, an iconic venue that strikers around the planet dream of competing in.

Tabares said:

“When I was called for the fight and they told me I’d be fighting in Lumpinee, I jumped and screamed. I talked to my wife and told her I was going to fight in Lumpinee.

“In that moment, I accomplished three dreams — fighting in ONE, fighting in Thailand, and fighting in Lumpinee. I’m fulfilling these three dreams in ONE.”

As happy as he is to showcase his talents at Lumpinee, Tabares is ultimately focused on securing a victory above all else.

Even though he fought for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title in his ONE debut, he’s not yet thinking about another crack at gold. Instead, he’s taking things one fight at a time and is dialed into the challenge before him.

He said:

“I just want to get the respect of (ONE Chairman and CEO) Chatri [Sityodtong] and show him that I deserve to fight for gold. I know that I’m new to ONE, but I’m not focused on how many wins [I can get]. I’m focused on this fight.

“This fight is my goal and, after this fight, I’m going to think about the next fight. I’m going to move in that way because I don’t want to focus on this fight thinking about the belt again. My focus is on this fight, on this moment.”

‘I’m Really Hungry’ – Tabares Aims To Showcase Full Potential Against Mahmoudi

If Edgar Tabares wants to impress the ONE Chairman and CEO in Chatri Sityodtong and prove he belongs among the flyweight Muay Thai elite, he first has to get past the division’s #5-ranked contender, Elias Mahmoudi.

The Mexican is well aware that every opponent he sees in ONE is a truly world-class talent, and Mahmoudi is no exception.

Tabares said:

“He’s a good fighter. I respect him a lot. He’s a ONE Championship superstar.”

After a disappointing showing against Rodtang, Tabares recognizes that this is his chance to change perceptions and effectively make a new first impression on ONE’s global fan base.

In fact, the WBC Muay Thai International Champion is ready to showcase his full potential on August 4.

He said:

“I think this is a good chance to show what I can do because, honestly, with my last fight, I couldn’t show my fighting style to ONE. This is a great opportunity, and I’m going to take all the chances to give my best and to get the win that I need.”

With the taste of defeat still in his mouth and his ONE debut out of the way, Tabares is supremely motivated to bounce back into the win column.

Pumped up and itching to compete, he only sees this match going one way.

Tabares said:

“I’m really hungry. You don’t know how hungry I feel. I feel like I didn’t fight last time. My last fight was less than five minutes, so I’ve trained a lot for this fight. I’ve prepared my mind. I’ve prepared my body a long time for this fight. And I feel like a full balloon that needs to explode. 

“With all the respect that Elias deserves, I’m going to get that win. I know that I said the same with Rodtang, but this is different. This moment is different.”

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