As a world champion grappler, Leandro Issa is well aware of what works in live combat. 

After years of defeating some of the best jiu-jitsu players in the world in open competition, the Brazilian submission machine transitioned to mixed martial arts. Issa has spent the past 12 years forging his name in the MMA realm, and he’s ready to return to business once more under the ONE banner this Friday at ONE: Immortal Pursuit on FloCombat.

Yet, Issa still holds his grappling roots close and credits his days of competing on the mats as great preparation for the road ahead.

“Since I started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I decided that it is what I wanted for my life. And since I started training really hard, I never stopped training,” Issa told ONEFC.com

“After I finished school, I took up jiu-jitsu full time. I had great support from my family because it is not easy, especially when you start, to make money, and my family always supported me. Now, I can make my mom very proud, so I am very happy to do that.”

At ONE: Immortal Pursuit, the 34-year-old veteran will compete in his adopted home of Singapore against surging contender Dae Hwan Kim, and Issa plans to make a definitive statement in the fight.

“His game will not match with my game,” Issa told ONEFC.com. “I am a grappler, and I have been doing a lot of Muay Thai for the last eight years. I have been training a lot of Muay Thai here at Evolve MMA with all the world champions. I will punch his face, stuff his takedowns, land on top, and grind him.”

“Brodinho” is so confident in his ability to put Kim away he’s already staking claim for a shot at reigning bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes for his next bout. Issa’s mission is to win championship gold plain and simple, and a dominant performance at ONE: Immortal Pursuit should boost his chances at a title shot.

“I just defeated Toni Tauru, and he also competed for a title already,” Issa said. “So this is a big step for me, as my goal is to be a ONE World Champion. But right now, I am climbing the ladder, so this will be great to watch.”

How to Watch

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