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MMA: Burn Soriano, Roy Doliguez filled with Pinoy pride ahead of ONE bouts

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/02/09/burn-soriano-020917.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Burn Soriano is looking for another highlight-reel finish. Handout photo.</div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Two homegrown Filipino talents will try to make the Philippines proud when they compete in the undercard of ONE: Throne of Tigers at Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday.Burn &quot;The Hitman&quot; Soriano locks horns against Malaysia&#x27;s Saiful &quot;The Vampire&quot; Merican in a 3-round bantamweight contest, while former boxing champion Roy Doliguez takes on Alex &quot;Little Rock&quot; Silva in a strawweight battle.&quot;It&#x27;s an honor to represent the country on a global stage like ONE Championship,&quot; said Soriano. &quot;I promise that I will do my best to give my beloved nation another spectacular win.&quot;Soriano&#x27;s last victory came in August against Indonesia&#x27;s Mario Sitya Wirawan, scoring a 15-second spinning backfist knockout. That win hiked his MMA record to 3-2, and he hopes to continue his winning ways on Friday.<ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read">	<li>READ: <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/mma/news/2016/08/27/pinoy-fighter-knocks-opponent-15-seconds-14919">Pinoy fighter knocks out opponent in 15 seconds</a></li></ul>The man standing in his way is Merican, who will try to bounce back after losing to Team Lakay&#x27;s Geje Eustaquio in January 2016 through a first-round knockout.Merican is an explosive striker who is known for his quick starts and is always seeking an early end to fights. His fan-friendly fighting style has given him great success.Soriano expects his match against Merican to be explosive, as both of them are well-versed in standup exchanges.&quot;I like this matchup, because both of us are strikers,&quot; Soriano explained. &quot;If he wants to trade with me, I will oblige. This will be exciting for everyone who is going to watch.&quot;It&#x27;s also a privilege to compete alongside a veteran like Roy Doliguez. For sure, he is also eager to win his fight for the Philippines.&quot;&quot;We are aiming to walk away as victors in our upcoming matches in Malaysia.&quot;Doliguez will be facing a tough opponent in Silva, known as a grappling expert and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with a spectacular ground game. Silva&#x27;s last 3 matches ended in first-round submissions.Doliguez is fully aware of his opponent&#x27;s grappling pedigree, but he insists he is not intimidated.&quot;MMA is not all about grappling. There are other aspects,&quot; he said. &quot;That&#x27;s the beauty of this sport, because there are other ways to win.&quot;&quot;If he wants to go to the ground, let&#x27;s go. If he wants to strike with me, I am welcoming it with open arms,&quot; he added.Coming off back-to-back losses, the 35-year-old Doliguez is eager to win.&quot;This is an opportunity to redeem myself as one of the best strawweights in Asia. If I want to fight for the title again, I have to win this first,&quot; he said.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

"The Hitman" Soriano locks horns against Saiful Merican in a contest, while former boxing champion Doliguez takes on Alex Silva in a strawweight battle.

"The Hitman" Soriano locks horns against Saiful Merican in a contest, while former boxing champion Doliguez takes on Alex Silva in a strawweight battle.