Aung La Nsang

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In this Burmese name, the family name is Aung La Nsang.
Aung La Nsang
File:Aung La N Sang.jpg
Born Aung La Maung Nsang
(1985-05-21) May 21, 1985 (age 39)
Myitkyina, Kachin, Burma[lower-alpha 1] (now Myanmar)
Other names The Burmese Python[1]
Nationality American[2]
Burmese[lower-alpha 2]
Ethnicity Kachin
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight 205 lb (93.0 kg; 14.6 st)
Division Welterweight (2013)
Middleweight (2011–2017)
Light heavyweight (2005–2010, 2018–present)[lower-alpha 3]
Cruiserweight (2018–present)[lower-alpha 4]
Reach 73 in (185 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Team Crazy 88 MMA (2007–2018)[3]
Kill Cliff FC (2018–present)[4]
Trainer Henri Hooft
Years active 2005–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 44
Wins 30
By knockout 15
By submission 13
By decision 2
Losses 13
By knockout 4
By submission 3
By decision 6
No contests 1
Other information
Website aunglansang.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Aung La Maung Nsang[5] (Burmese: အောင်လအန်ဆန်း; born on May 21, 1985) is a Burmese-American mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to ONE Championship, where he competes in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He is a former ONE Middleweight and ONE Light Heavyweight World Champion, and was the second two-division champion in ONE history, having held both belts simultaneously.

He made his MMA debut in 2005 and would go on to become a major star in his native Myanmar after signing with ONE Championship and winning two titles with the organization.[6][7][8]

He is also one of the few Myanmar citizens with an international profile, given the country only began opening up to the outside world over the last decade. Aung La was the subject of unprecedented national attention in the lead-up to the fight with Russia's then-middleweight champion Vitaly Bigdash, with billboards across Yangon featuring massive portraits of the two fighters.[9]

Being a national icon of Myanmar,[10] his own bronze statue erected in 2018 at the Kachin National Manau Park in his hometown of Myitkyina. During the opening ceremony of the statue a huge crowd of thousands fans gathered.[11][12][13]

Early life and education

Aung La was born in Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar to Christian Kachin parents Nsang Tu Awng, a jewellery trader, and his wife Shadan Nang Bu.[3][14] He is the third son of five siblings. He attended high school at International School Yangon.[3] In 2003, he moved to the United States to study Agriculture Science at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.[3] He graduated in 2007 and worked as a migratory beekeeper while keeping up his MMA training.[15]

Aung La Nsang said he got his nickname of the "Burmese Python" while fighting in the Midwest. A promoter from the Midwest asked where he was from and didn't know where Burma was. Aung La Nsang told him Burma was where the Burmese Python is from and so the promoter started to call him that. The geo-political sensitivities was not aware to the promoter.

Aung La Nsang said, "Of course the Kachin people want me to become the Kachin Python or the Kachin Lion, but you can't give yourself a nickname ... It just comes from the fans."[16]

Lethwei

Aung La Nsang has no formal training in his home country's traditional art of Lethwei and only fought with his cousins and friends. He said his uncle used to fight in Lethwei, but his experience was limited. He lists Tway Ma Shaung as one of his favorite Lethwei fighters alongside Lone Chaw.[17] Aung La has often expressed his interest in Lethwei.[18] and stated being open to a mixed-rules MMA-Lethwei fight, which could happen as ONE Championship already held Lethwei fights, notably at ONE Championship: Light of a Nation.[19][20]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Aung La made his professional debut in 2005, and soon built a reputation for his outstanding submission skills, earning himself the nickname of The Burmese Python. Early in his career, Aung La fought for King of the Cage and Ring of Combat as well as other, smaller promotions. However, his career got off to a slow start, with Aung La losing his first fight. At the age of 27, he became a social media sensation when footage of him knocking out Jason Louck at CFFC 17 went viral in the Kachin State. After the fight, he posed with a Kachin flag.[21]

ONE Championship

He made his ONE Championship debut in June 2014 and has headlined multiple shows at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon since 2016. After signing with ONE in 2014, Aung La Nsang returned to his home country of Myanmar two years later at ONE Championship: Union of Warriors, winning his bout to become a national hero.[22]

On March 18, 2016, he fought in Yangon for the first time, beating Mohamed Ali by submission.[23][24]

2017: ONE Middleweight Champion

On January 14, 2017, Aung La Nsang challenged Vitaly Bigdash for the ONE Middleweight World Championship at ONE Championship: Quest for Power.[25] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

On June 30, 2017, he became Myanmar's first ever world champion in any mainstream sport, beating Vitaly Bigdash at ONE Championship: Light of a Nation to win the ONE Middleweight World Championship.[26]

On November 3, 2017, Aung La Nsang faced Alain Ngalani at ONE Championship: Hero's Dream in the first openweight bout in ONE Championship history, winning by submission.[27]

Later that year he met with State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the issues in the Kachin State.[28]

2018: Title defenses and ONE Light Heavyweight Champion

On February 23, 2018, he stopped Alexandre Machado at ONE Championship: Quest for Gold in Yangon to win the ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship. This made him only the second fighter in ONE history to become a simultaneous two-division champion, after Martin Nguyen who achieved it the previous year.[29]

On June 29, 2018, Aung La Nsang defended the ONE Middleweight title for the first time against Ken Hasegawa at ONE Championship: Spirit of a Warrior in Yangon in what is now considered one of the greatest title fights in ONE Championship history. He defeated Hasegawa by TKO in the fifth round to retain the title.[30]

On October 26, 2018, he beat Mohammad Karaki by TKO via punches at ONE Championship: Pursuit of Greatness in Yangon to retain the ONE Middleweight title.[31]

2019: Title defenses

On March 31, 2019, he defended his title against Ken Hasegawa for a second time at ONE Championship: A New Era in Tokyo, retaining his ONE Middleweight title via technical knockout.[32]

After his title defense against Hasegawa, Aung La signed a new ten-fight contract with ONE Championship.[33]

Aung La made his first defense of the ONE Light Heavyweight World Championship against Brandon Vera at ONE Championship: Century on October 13, 2019. During the match, Aung La connected on a spinning back elbow that sent Vera stumbling and followed it through with punches.[34] Aung La defeated Vera by technical knockout in the second round and successfully defended the ONE Light Heavyweight title.[35]

2020: Losing the Middleweight Championship

Aung La Nsang was next expected to defend his ONE Middleweight World Championship against Reinier de Ridder, event and date to be determined.[36] However, de Ridder was later pulled from the bout. Aung La will now face former middleweight champion Vitaly Bigdash for a third time at ONE Infinity 1 on April 10, 2020.[37] However, their title fight was canceled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports.

On September 9, 2020, it was revealed that Aung La would be defending his ONE Middleweight World Championship against Reinier de Ridder once again at ONE Championship: Inside the Matrix on October 30, 2020.[38][39] On October 30, 2020, Aung La lost to de Ridder by submission in the first round,[40] ending his reign as ONE Middleweight World Champion.[41]

2021: Losing the Light Heavyweight Championship

Aung La was expected to defend the ONE Light Heavyweight Championship against Vitaly Bigdash in a trilogy bout at ONE on TNT 4 on April 28, 2021.[42] After Vitaly Bigdash tested positive for COVID-19, Reinier de Ridder took his place.[43][44] He lost the fight and the belt by unanimous decision.[45]

Aung La faced former ONE Middleweight title contender Leandro Ataides at ONE Championship: Battleground on July 30, 2021.[46] He won the bout via knockout in the first round.[47]

2022: Post-championship run

Aung La faced fellow ONE World Champion and former ONE Middleweight Champion Vitaly Bigdash in a trilogy fight at ONE: Full Circle on February 25, 2022.[48] He lost by unanimous decision.[49]

Aung La was scheduled to face Yushin Okami at ONE on Prime Video 4 on November 19, 2022.[50] However, the bout was postponed to ONE 163 for undisclosed reasons.[51] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round and during the post-fight interview he pay tribute to his teammate Anthony "Rumble" Johnson who passed away this week.[52]

Aung La was scheduled to face Fan Rong on February 14, 2023, at ONE on Prime Video 6.[53] However, Rong withdrawn from the bout after having tested positive for COVID-19 and was replaced by Gilberto Galvão at a catchweight of 215 pounds.[54] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[55] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[56]

The match between Aung La and Rong was rescheduled for May 5, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 10.[57] Aung La won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.[58][59]

Honored by Tatmadaw

In July 2018, Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing issued an official statement of congratulations, claiming the ethnic Kachin fighter embodies the indomitable spirit of Myanmar, the pride of the nation. Aung La was invited to the Ministry of Defence and presented with a cash award as a token of appreciation and recognition by representatives of all three branches of the Myanmar armed forces.[60]

On February 24, 2018, Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Tatmadaw (army, navy, air force) officials honored to Aung La Nsang. On behalf of the Tatmadaw Commander-in-Chief, Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Thet Pone presented Aung La Nsang with a Myanmar Ks 10 million cash prize, as well as a certificate of honor sent by the Tatmadaw Commander-in-Chief, at an event held at the Rose Garden Hotel in Yangon.[61]

Charity work

Since becoming a superstar in his native land via his ONE Championship success, Aung La has committed himself to several charity projects, using his reach and fame to try and help the people of Myanmar. In particular, he has given his backing to educational charities such as "Street School Initiative" [62] and Global Citizen, as well as other causes in his native Kachin state.[63]

Aung La is a passionate advocate for Myanmar's wildlife and he has been a big supporter of Voices for momos, a campaign against illegal wildlife trade, since its launch in November 2017.

On 9 November 2018, Aung La was appointed as ambassador of Fighting Wildlife Crime by World Wide Fund for Nature, Myanmar.[64]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 30–13 (1) Fan Rong Submission (guillotine choke) ONE Fight Night 10 May 5, 2023 2 0:48 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 29–13 (1) Gilberto Galvão TKO (punches) ONE Fight Night 6 January 14, 2023 1 1:29 Bangkok, Thailand Catchweight (215 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.
Win 28–13 (1) Yushin Okami TKO (punches) ONE 163 November 19, 2022 1 1:42 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 27–13 (1) Vitaly Bigdash Decision (unanimous) ONE: Full Circle February 25, 2022 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore Catchweight (209 lb) bout; Bigdash missed weight.
Win 27–12 (1) Leandro Ataides KO (punches) ONE: Battleground July 30, 2021 1 3:45 Kallang, Singapore Catchweight (215 lb) bout.
Loss 26–12 (1) Reinier de Ridder Decision (unanimous) ONE on TNT 4 April 28, 2021 5 5:00 Kallang, Singapore Lost the ONE Light Heavyweight Championship (225 lb)
Loss 26–11 (1) Reinier de Ridder Submission (rear-naked choke) ONE: Inside the Matrix October 30, 2020 1 3:26 Kallang, Singapore Lost the ONE Middleweight Championship (205 lb).
Win 26–10 (1) Brandon Vera TKO (punches) ONE: Century – Part 2 October 13, 2019 2 3:23 Tokyo, Japan Defended the ONE Light Heavyweight Championship (225 lb).
Win 25–10 (1) Ken Hasegawa TKO (punches) ONE: A New Era March 31, 2019 2 4:41 Tokyo, Japan Defended the ONE Middleweight Championship (205 lb).
Win 24–10 (1) Mohammad Karaki TKO (punches) ONE: Pursuit of Greatness October 26, 2018 1 2:21 Yangon, Myanmar Defended the ONE Middleweight Championship (205 lb).
Win 23–10 (1) Ken Hasegawa KO (punch) ONE: Spirit of a Warrior June 29, 2018 5 3:13 Yangon, Myanmar Defended the ONE Middleweight Championship (205 lb).
Win 22–10 (1) Alexandre Machado TKO (head kick and punches) ONE: Quest for Gold February 23, 2018 1 0:56 Yangon, Myanmar Won the ONE Light Heavyweight Championship (220 lb).
Win 21–10 (1) Alain Ngalani Submission (guillotine choke) ONE: Hero's Dream November 3, 2017 1 4:31 Yangon, Myanmar Openweight bout.
Win 20–10 (1) Vitaly Bigdash Decision (unanimous) ONE: Light of a Nation June 30, 2017 5 5:00 Yangon, Myanmar Won the ONE Middleweight Championship.
Loss 19–10 (1) Vitaly Bigdash Decision (unanimous) ONE: Quest for Power January 14, 2017 5 5:00 Jakarta, Indonesia For the ONE Middleweight Championship.
Win 19–9 (1) Michal Pasternak Decision (unanimous) ONE: State of Warriors October 7, 2016 3 5:00 Yangon, Myanmar
Win 18–9 (1) Aleksei Butorin Submission (arm-triangle choke) ONE: Dynasty of Champions (Anhui) July 2, 2016 2 1:57 Hefei, China
Win 17–9 (1) Mohamed Ali Submission (guillotine choke) ONE: Union of Warriors March 18, 2016 1 2:38 Yangon, Myanmar
Win 16–9 (1) Mahmoud Salama KO (punches) ONE FC: Era of Champions June 14, 2014 1 1:07 Jakarta, Indonesia
Loss 15–9 (1) Jonavin Webb TKO (knee) Cage Fury FC 28 August 26, 2013 1 2:41 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 15–8 (1) Shedrick Goodridge Submission (guillotine choke) Cage Fury FC 26 August 17, 2013 2 1:44 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
NC 14–8 (1) Kyle Baker No Contest Cage Fury FC 23 April 13, 2013 1 0:24 King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 14–8 Jason Louck KO (punch) Cage Fury FC 17 October 13, 2012 1 2:30 Dover, Delaware, United States
Win 13–8 Jesus Martinez TKO (punches) Bellator 68 May 11, 2012 1 0:36 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (175 lb) bout.
Loss 12–8 Sam Oropeza Submission (guillotine choke) Matrix Fights 5 March 26, 2012 2 0:56 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 12–7 Drew Puzon Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 38 November 18, 2011 3 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 12–6 Casey Manrique TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 37 September 9, 2011 2 1:03 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 11–6 Uriah Hall KO (punch) Ring of Combat 35 August 8, 2011 3 1:37 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 11–5 Mitch Whitesel Submission (guillotine choke) Ring of Combat 34 February 24, 2011 1 3:09 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Middleweight debut.
Loss 10–5 Costas Philippou TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 33 December 3, 2010 1 0:11 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (188 lb) bout.
Win 10–4 Chris Price Submission (guillotine choke) C3: Furious May 9, 2009 1 1:37 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 9–4 Steve Evan Dau Submission (armbar) C3: Domination November 22, 2008 2 1:47 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 8–4 Josh Mix Submission (armbar) Michiana Fight League August 8, 2008 1 1:03 Plymouth, Indiana, United States
Loss 7–4 James Lee Submission (heel hook) KOTC: Explosion June 15, 2007 1 3:51 Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Win 7–3 Shawn McCully Submission (armbar) CFC 1 March 31, 2007 1 0:59 United States
Loss 6–3 Julio Paulino Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Win 6–2 Erik Brettin KO Heartland: Ground n Pound February 23, 2007 1 0:18 South Bend, Indiana, United States
Loss 5–2 Jim Martens Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Mass Destruction January 26, 2007 2 5:00 Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Win 5–1 Brandon Griffin Submission (armbar) KOTC: Meltdown October 7, 2006 1 0:52 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win 4–1 Jason Law Submission United Fight League 2 August 25, 2006 1 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win 3–1 Steve Lapear KO (punches) Heartland: Ground n Pound June 7, 2006 1 0:40 South Bend, Indiana, United States
Win 2–1 Noel Gomez Submission (armbar) Ultimate Throwdown May 13, 2006 1 2:25 Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Win 1–1 Halton Flowers KO Champions Factory March 11, 2006 1 0:00 South Bend, Indiana, United States
Loss 0–1 Emerson Rushing TKO (doctor stoppage) Total Fight Challenge 3 March 25, 2005 1 2:24 Hammond, Indiana, United States Light Heavyweight debut.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Aung La Nsang profile at ONE Championship
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Roebuck, M. (2016, January 7). Return of the Python. Myanmar Times. Retrieved July 1, 2022, from https://www.mmtimes.com/sports/18376-return-of-the-python.html Archived July 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
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  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Notes

  1. ↑ Myanmar was officially known as the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma at the time of Aung La Nsang's birth.
  2. ↑ Expatriate
  3. ↑ ONE Championship refers to their 205 lb weight class as Middleweight, but per the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States, 205 lb is considered Light heavyweight.
  4. ↑ ONE Championship refers to their 225 lb weight class as Light heavyweight, but per the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States, 225 lb is considered Cruiserweight.

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