Malaysian-Kiwi standout Ev Ting embarks on a new journey in his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career as he is set to move up in another weight class for his next bout.

Ting makes his lightweight debut against division mainstay Kamal Shalorus in the main event of ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS, which takes place at the 12,000-capacity Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 10 February.

The 27-year-old hard-hitter from Auckland, New Zealand has been a featherweight all throughout his six-year prizefighting run, having 15 fights in the division and owning notable wins over the likes Edward Kelly, Honorio Banario, Eric Kelly and Rob Lisita.

Ting is welcoming his transfer to the lightweight bracket with open arms, asserting that his body is more suited with the 77.1-kilogram weight class.

“With the new weight cut policy, my walk-around weight is closer to lightweight than featherweight. I used to cut more than ten kilograms to get to featherweight. Therefore, it is much wiser on many regards to fight where I’m healthy,” he said.

In his first appearance as a lightweight competitor, Ting aims to claim a statement-making victory over Shalorus, a one-time world title challenger in ONE Championship.

“2016 was big, but 2017 will be huge. I am ready to make a statement and do what I do best, which is give my 100 percent in that cage with no regrets,” he stated.

Ting sees his stint at lightweight as a clear path to vying for ONE Championship’s gold-plated strap.

Even though he won three-straight fights against high-profile opponents since yielding to Russian combatant Marat Gafurov in a May 2015 title eliminator, Ting never had the chance to compete for the ONE Featherweight World Championship belt.

Ting believes that it will be a different story at lightweight as he plans to take the division by storm.

“I’m in a new weight class. For sure, everyone will notice me. I am on a one-way train to wrapping title around my waist,” he quipped.

Ting is not closing the doors on a featherweight return, but he stressed that his current focus is to establish himself as the rightful contender for the ONE Lightweight World Championship crown.

“Never say never. If the price is right and I can assure that I can make weight safely with new weight cut policy, then definitely I will go back to featherweight. But my eyes are set on my division and being the No. 1 contender for the lightweight championship of the world,” he ended.

For more details visit: www.onefc.com or if you have any additional queries please respond to Choulyin Tan atchoulyin@gocomm.com.my or Yan Ni at yanni@gocomm.com.my

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