“There’s nothing else planned” - Aung La N Sang stays laser focused on pivotal Denver showdown against Shamil Erdogan

Former ONE middleweight MMA world champion Aung La N Sang has channeled much of his focus of late on his scheduled return to action this weekend in the United States. He said it is his immediate priority, even ahead of reclaiming the world title he once held.

'The Burmese Python' plunges back into action after 16 months at ONE 168 in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 6. He will figure in a catchweight (213.75 lbs) MMA match against undefeated Turkish fighter Shamil Erdogan, part of the event happening at the Ball Arena in the "Mile High City."

In a conversation with combat sports journalist Nick Atkin in line with ONE 168, Aung La N Sang disclosed that while returning as middleweight king is something he would like, the focus for now is on Erdogan and only him.

The 39-year-old Kill Cliff FC standout said:

"Yeah, I hope so [compete for the belt], you know. But my focus is nothing besides Friday night. There's nothing else planned, nothing else, you know, besides the fight against Shamil. Nothing else matters to me."

Check out what he had to say below:

Aung La N Sang is on a three-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory over China's Fan Rong in May last year, also in Colorado.

At ONE 168, he will go up against an opponent in Erdogan, 34, who is undefeated in nine professional fights so far, including his ONE Championship debut in June 2023.

ONE 168: Denver will air live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription. Tickets for the event, meanwhile, are available on Ticketmaster.

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Aung La N Sang looks to build on winning momentum heading into ONE 168

Aung La N Sang is looking to build on his three-fight winning streak when he returns to action at ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6 against the equally streaking Shamil Erdogan.

The former ONE middleweight and light heavyweight world champion emphasized this in a video feature on his showdown with Erdogan on YouTube, saying:

"My momentum [heading into this fight] is three wins with three finishes. So I'm looking to extend this streak and I promise you the best is yet to come."

Aung La's most recent victory was in May last year at ONE Fight Night 10 also in Colorado, where he defeated Fan Rong of China by submission in the second round. Prior to it, he hacked out back-to-back first-round TKO wins over Japanese Yushin Okami (November 2022) and Brazilian Gilberto Galvao (January 2023).