Gianni Subba Is Stronger In Every Sense For Ma Hao Bin Bout

Gianni Subba is supremely confident of victory at ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS after leaving no stone unturned in his training.

The Malaysian superstar says he has enjoyed one of the best training camps of his life at Bali MMA ahead of his match-up with “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin on 7 December.

The bout will take place in front of Subba’s Malaysian fans at Kuala Lumpur’s Axiata Arena, and he promises they will see a great performance from him.

“My coaches here have all set up a training camp based on any opponent. We’ve been polishing my striking, working on wrestling defense, and my submission attack,” Subba explains.

“Coach Mike Ikilei has formulated a game plan I can use. Andrew Leone and Don Carlo-Clauss have also been helping me out.

“This is the first training camp without any injuries, so I’ve been super healthy from start to finish.

“I would say mentally and physically, I’ve been in a very good place. I can’t wait to go home and perform for my hometown people.”

His opponent for this flyweight bout is a dangerous grappler, who has impressed in the cage ever since his debut in 2016.

Ma became ONE Changsha Bantamweight Tournament Champion with two wins on his first night as a mixed martial arts professional, and has since gone on to increase his tally of wins in The Home Of Martial Arts to six.

He has four finishes by submission in ONE – three in the first round – so Subba knows he will have to be on his guard, but the Malaysian believes he has the antidote to his rival’s grappling offense.

“We know he’s a pressure-heavy fighter. We’ve been working on our strengths, and we’re not too worried about what he can do,” he says.

“Maybe he has an edge in wrestling, but I feel like I’m the stronger fighter as a whole.

“I think he’s going to shoot, and I’m going to land some shots. My grappling is better, but maybe on the ground, he might have a slight advantage.

“To me, ground or stand-up is no problem. My grappling has improved tremendously too, so I’m not worried, just ready.” 

As well as a set of improved skills, Subba also reveals he will enter the cage in Kuala Lumpur as a mentally stronger athlete.

The 25-year-old had never seemed short on confidence, but it has only grown in his recent outings thanks to his focus on mindfulness.

That has made him fearless in the face of any opponent, and hungry to go out and prove himself on the global stage for martial arts.

“I never knew how important it is to imagine and meditate before a fight, but now I constantly do it, and it feels so much different,” he says.

“It gives me that feeling of wanting to go in and challenge myself against [Ma].” 

It is an attitude that is reflected in his teammates, who are committed to pushing each other to be at their best.

“At Bali MMA we have a really hungry team. We’ve got guys from several promotions, so being in the camp with hungry guys, you don’t have to look too far,” Subba explains.

“You want to maintain the intensity. If you’re not ready, you’re told to leave.”

At 100 percent in body and mind, and with a strategy to succeed against his Chinese opponent, the flyweight contender expects to score his seventh win on home soil, and 10th overall as a professional.

That would confirm his status as one of the top athletes in his division, and set him up for a spot in 2019’s ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.

That tournament is set to feature eight world-class competitors, including Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

That is an opportunity Subba would jump at the chance to take, but he will not get ahead of himself.

He is adamant he has business to take care of on 7 December first. Only once that is in his rearview mirror, will he allow himself to contemplate his future among the weight class’ elite.

“Obviously it’s cool to be recognized as one of the best in the world,” he says.

“I’m not looking ahead as I know Ma Hao Bin is the guy in front of me. My only goal right now is to fight him, and I’ve got nothing else in my mind except him.”