‘Someone On The Floor’ – Aung La N Sang Predicts Knockout Finish In Retirement Fight With Zebaztian Kadestam
“The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang will close the door on his remarkable career this Friday, October 3.
That evening, he will meet former welterweight kingpin Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam in a middleweight MMA clash at ONE Fight Night 36: Prajanchai vs. Di Bella II on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok, Thailand.
Aung La N Sang is at peace with his decision to retire, and he has every reason to feel that way.
“The Burmese Python” etched his name into the record books, capturing both the ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Titles. In fact, when he claimed the middleweight gold in June 2017, he became Myanmar’s first World Champion in the country’s history.
Along the way, he has compiled 30 wins with a jaw-dropping 93 percent finishing rate in his legendary career, which has spanned two decades.
But this final battle carries extra meaning because it will involve Kadestam, a man who is also a former ONE World Champion and a friend.
The two truly started getting to know each other in 2019, when both superstars were in the middle of their respective ONE World Title reigns.
For Aung La N Sang, this isn’t personal. Truthfully, he is thrilled to close out his career against a dear friend who is willing to stand and trade with him in the middle of the squared circle.
The icon said:
“He’s a good guy. I really like him, and I know he’s very good. And it will be a fun fight for the fans, right? We’re gonna bang, and we’re gonna put on a show.
“At the end of the day, he’s gotta take care of him and his family, and I gotta take care of me and my family as well. And the fans are in for a treat because neither one of us is gonna back down.”
Kadestam, a former ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion, owns 15 wins with an equally impressive 93 percent finishing rate. What’s more, the 35-year-old Swedish striker rides into Bangkok on a three-fight tear, capped by a highlight-reel TKO of two-division KSW Champion Roberto Soldic.
“The Bandit” is known for his tremendous durability and knockout power, and now that he is stepping up to the middleweight division, the expectation is he should be even stronger heading into the contest.
But that doesn’t faze Aung La N Sang, who believes the Swede will notice the difference the moment fists start flying. While “The Burmese Python” knows his power will make him much more dangerous than the opponents his friend encountered at welterweight, he also acknowledges that Kadestam is training with bigger sparring partners at Legacy Gym and Allstars Training Center.
The 40-year-old offered:
“I’m gonna hit a lot harder than a welterweight, that’s for sure. My bones are harder than a welterweight. But at the same time, we’ve talked before and he gets heavier than me.
“Maybe not a good weight, but still, he gets heavier than me, and he’s training with big guys like [Alexander] Gustafsson, so I think he’ll be alright.”
Aung La N Sang Breaks Down Kadestam
Aung La N Sang knows the danger Zebaztian Kadestam poses in his retirement bout at ONE Fight Night 36 this Friday, October 3.
The Swede comes from a Muay Thai background and brilliantly translated his skills to mixed martial arts, where he has built a reputation as one of the sport’s most fearsome knockout artists and transformed into one of its most complete strikers.
When “The Burmese Python” looks at Kadestam, he recognizes a seasoned veteran who can mix his crisp attacks with disciplined defense, making him a menacing adversary on any given night.
Aung La N Sang said:
“He’s good everywhere. His defense is good. His offense [is good], he can do everything. Maybe his grappling is his weakness. But I’m not grappling, so … we’re gonna have a show on our hands.”
What Aung La N Sang respects most about Kadestam isn’t only the knockouts that fill his highlight reels, but the way he handles himself over the course of a fight. The Swede doesn’t rely on one weapon – he can read the flow, switch things up, and keep his opponents second-guessing.
For the Myanmar sports icon, this bout represents more than just a hard-hitting farewell. It’s a final examination against a rival who embodies the toughness and skill worthy of his last dance inside the ring.
“The Burmese Python” said:
“I don’t think he has much of a weakness, besides grappling. He’s very defensively sound, too. If you watch his fight against Roberto Soldic, his defense is tight. He’s very on point, and he’s very mobile too, so it’s a good fight.”
Between each athlete’s incredibly high finishing rates and desire to thrill the crowd with their stand-up arsenals, fans should expect fireworks for as long as this battle lasts.
This is especially important for Aung La N Sang, who believes there’s only one way for this retirement match with his heavy hitting pal to conclude:
“Someone on the floor, that’s the only way [it can end]. That’s the only way we can honor our friendship and honor each other as fighters, as warriors.”
