First loss won’t hinder Murugan’s chase to One Championship’s top prize

KUALA LUMPUR — Despite losing his One Championship’s mixed-martial-arts (MMA) debut fight to Indonesia’s Eko Roni Saputra, Murugan “Wolverine” Silvarajoo's road to the catchweight championship belt continues.

"Now that I am in One Championship, it doesn't matter that I lost, I am still hopeful to be a title contender one day and win the championship belt," Murugan told The Vibes.

Murugan faced Eko in Singapore at One: Reign of Dynasties' event last week, where he submitted to the Indonesian after two and a half minutes of the first round via a modified Kimura.

Eko, who is also a national wrestling champion, rushed Murugan with short bursts of hand strikes before taking the Malaysian fighter down through a double-leg takedown. After positioning himself, Eko secured Murugan's arm with his thigh and went for an extremely rare version of an Americana.

"When he was on top, I was expecting him to ground and pound which is why I held on to his arm. I didn't know he was going for a submission. "In fact, my team expected him to go for a rear-naked-choke or armbar," Murugan explained.

Training with coaches from Muayfit PJ, Murugan also explained that they knew Eko's strategy was to rush for strikes which would set up a takedown. The plan was for Murugan to counter the strikes.

"When I was in the ring and he rushed, I felt like I blacked out or forgot what to do, that's why I was constantly blocking," Murugan said. During Eko's strikes, Murugan entered into a defensive stance, but did attempt a few jabs and landed leg kicks.

Time to train with the big boys

Murugan is not taking any time to rest once he's able to get back to the gym, given his dream of the top prize in the championship. While he also appreciates training with his current team in Muayfit, he hopes to train overseas to hone in on new skills - once the borders reopen.

"I am considering either Singapore, Thailand, or Indonesia to train. It's time to train with the big boys. "I have rested enough during quarantine, once I am out, I will get back to the gym and put in 1000%," Murugan added.

This desire to train abroad will also not be hindered by the fact Murugan has yet to acquire sponsors, as he will be tapping into his own savings. "I am looking for sponsors, but in the meantime, I will use savings from my coaching salaries," he said.

When asked who wants to face in his next One Championship match, he will let the organisers decide who and he will be ready to face them. — The Vibes, October 15, 2020