![Aung La N Sang pays tribute to his close friend Anthony Johnson. [Photos ONE Championship]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/11/fdc76-16688831170453-1920.jpg)
![Aung La N Sang pays tribute to his close friend Anthony Johnson. [Photos ONE Championship]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The past week has certainly been tough for Aung La N Sang, but the Burmese legend marched on and did what he does best.
Aung La captured an all-important win when he knocked out Yushin Okami in the first round of their match at ONE 163 this Saturday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Anthony Johnson, one of Aung La’s closest friends, passed away this week, and the former two-division world champion made sure to honor ‘Rumble’ after the fight.
Not only did Aung La give his respect to Johnson, but he also paid tribute to his home country of Myanmar. During his post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson, 'The Burmese Python' said:
“So, Anthony passed away this week and it was pretty hard. I know what Myanmar is going through, you know. So, this fight was very hard for me but I put a lot of work into it and dedication to it.”
He added:
“Myanmar, I’m praying for you guys. Last two years have been very hard on us, I love you guys. It’s been hard for our country. I wanna keep praying for you guys, and I want to let you know that what’s getting me through is my belief in God and He’s given me peace. I’m praying for you guys. I love you guys.”
Aung La N Sang glad to be back in the win column
Aung La N Sang is one of the most influential fighters in ONE Championship, and his display against Okami was proof of the class that he has inside the circle.
‘The Burmese Python’ was his usual dominant self when he knocked out Okami 1:42 into the fight via wicked ground-and-pound.
The win was Aung La’s second in three fights and his 13th overall in ONE Championship. He also recorded his 11th finish inside the circle. He stated in his post-fight interview:
“I’m thankful to God for blessing me with this victory, thankful for my team at Kill Cliff FC, thank you for all the support from Myanmar, and thank you Singapore. I’m thankful for ONE Championship for giving us this wonderful platform.”
Aung La N Sang also gave his appreciation to ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong and to the Singapore crowd who’s always given him love every time he fought:
“Chatri thank you, and Singapore you are amazing. It’s nice to fight in front of a crowd. Thank you, guys.”
