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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Ernesto Montilla sees holes in Tatsumitsu Wada's game

Ernesto Montilla sees holes in Tatsumitsu Wada's game

Published Mar 15, 2023 06:47 am
Ernesto “Iron” Montilla Jr. has been grinding hard before his long-awaited ONE Championship debut, and he likes where he’s at so far. The Filipino champion crosses over to the bright lights of The Home of Martial Arts when he takes on dangerous Japanese veteran [Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada](https://www.onefc.com/athletes/tatsumitsu-wada/) in a three-round flyweight MMA match at ONE Friday Fights 9 this Friday, March 17, inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Montilla, who made it to the final three of ONE Warrior Series Philippines, is banking on his striking against the crafty Wada, who many expect will rely on his ground game in this contest. “I see some holes in his striking, and I think I can get him there. I prepared for his weakness, which is his striking,” he said. “But, I didn't sleep on my grappling too. He will be surprised, not just in the standup.” Montilla will need to find and exploit those holes fast, especially against a grinder in Wada, who’s known for imposing his will on his opponents through his grappling. Wada, a veteran of 35 fights, has proven that he can hang with some of the division’s best grapplers including reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion [Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson](https://www.onefc.com/athletes/demetrious-johnson/), who he battled until the final bell. That’s why many see Montilla as an underdog in this fight. However, that label doesn’t bother him. “I don't care about being the underdog because I came to win,” he said. Given a chance to finally compete on the big stage of ONE Championship against an established veteran nonetheless, Montila knows that it’s now or never. After all, an opportunity like this might not swing his way ever again. So expect him to go all out and do whatever it takes to eke out the win. “My goal is to win,” he said, “by either knockout or submission [in] whichever round.” Catch all the ONE Championship action by downloading the [ONE Super App](https://www.onefc.com/videos/the-one-super-app-is-available-to-download-now/).

Read More From ONE Championship:

[Fabricio Andrade Stops John Lineker, Claims Bantamweight World Title In ONE Fight Night 7 Thriller](https://www.onefc.com/news/fabricio-andrade-stops-john-lineker-claims-bantamweight-world-title-in-one-fight-night-7-thriller/) [Two Athletes Take Home US$50,000 Performance Bonuses At ONE Fight Night 7](https://www.onefc.com/submission-grappling/two-athletes-take-home-us50000-performance-bonuses-at-one-fight-night-7/) [Tawanchai PK Saenchai Knocks Out Jamal Yusupov In 49 Seconds, Retains ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title](https://www.onefc.com/news/tawanchai-pk-saenchai-knocks-out-jamal-yusupov-in-49-seconds-retains-one-featherweight-muay-thai-world-title/)
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