Carlo Bumina-ang aims for career comeback against Marcos Aurelio at ONE Fight Night 39

Carlo Bumina-ang has firmly established himself as one of the Philippines’ top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) talents, currently competing in ONE Championship and representing the country on the international stage. The 31-year-old fighter has built a reputation for his aggressive striking, relentless work rate, and resilience inside the cage, making him one of the most exciting Filipino prospects in the sport today.

Bumina-ang is set to return to the ONE Championship cage on Friday, January 23, at ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek vs. Dayakaev, where he will face undefeated Marcos Aurelio in a bantamweight clash. The bout presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the Filipino star, who is eager to rebound and regain momentum in his professional career.

The fight comes on the heels of a disappointing setback for Bumina-ang at ONE Fight Night 37: Kryklia vs. Agdeve on November 8, when he suffered a second-round submission loss to Russia’s Elbek Alyshov. The defeat marked a rare stumble in his otherwise promising career, dropping his professional record to 8-2. Reflecting on the loss, Bumina-ang admitted that body shots disrupted his rhythm and ultimately contributed to the outcome.

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“In the first round, the momentum was mine. But he snuck in some slick body shots on me. Those knees to the body took their toll, and I felt it weighing down on me as the fight progressed. Once I sat on the stool after the first round, my knees felt stiff. I tried to tough it out in the second round but couldn’t,” he said in a media interaction.

𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Carlo Bumina-ang 🇵🇭 (8–2) returns with redemption on his mind as he takes on undefeated Marcos Aurelio 🇧🇷 (8–0) in a bantamweight MMA showdown at ONE Fight Night 39 on January 24. pic.twitter.com/nnWDo7HGua

— NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) January 8, 2026

Despite the setback, Bumina-ang remains focused and motivated, fully aware that his upcoming bout against Aurelio will be a stern test. The Brazilian fighter enters the contest with a perfect 8-0 record, bringing a reputation as a skilled Muay Thai specialist with strong counterstriking and pressure-fighting abilities. Bumina-ang, however, believes that Aurelio’s style could play into his hands.

“His ground game is good, but he is more of a Muay Thai specialist. He is a good counterstriker and pressure fighter as well. It plays to my style, actually, because I prefer aggressive opponents. He is a striker, but I won’t underestimate him on the ground. I need to be wary because I believe he will try to test my grappling. My two losses were by submission, so he will probably think he can take me there. But I will prove him wrong if he tries.

“I feel like my back is against the wall since I now have two losses in ONE. My mentality right now is simply kill or get killed. He will probably be fired up because he is making his debut, and he wants to keep his undefeated record. But I respect him. He is a well-rounded opponent, and I’m excited to face him,” he added.

Bumina-ang’s mindset reflects a fighter who has learned from adversity. His willingness to analyze his losses, understand his weaknesses, and adapt his strategy demonstrates the maturity of a veteran athlete in one of the world’s most competitive MMA promotions. Fans can expect a focused and highly motivated fighter when he steps into the cage, ready to prove that setbacks do not define his career.

As Carlo Bumina-ang prepares to face Marcos Aurelio, the stakes could not be higher. A win would reaffirm his status as one of the Philippines’ top MMA exports and keep him in contention in the bantamweight division, while a loss would force him to recalibrate and work even harder to stay among the sport’s elite. With a combination of experience, aggressive striking, and a steely determination forged through adversity, Bumina-ang is poised to make this bout a defining moment in his career. Filipino fight fans will be watching closely, hoping that their star can turn the page and reclaim his winning momentum on the global stage.

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