Jeremy Miado warns Willie van Rooyen ahead of ONE Fight Night 41: “I hit a lot harder”

Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado is back on the hunt, and he has no intention of leaving Bangkok empty-handed. The Filipino flyweight opens ONE Fight Night 41: Sinsamut vs. Jarvis on Prime Video against South African knockout artist Willie “White Lion” van Rooyen on Friday, March 13, live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium.

Miado has built his ONE Championship reputation on spectacular finishes. Six of his seven promotional victories came by stoppage, with signature wins over Lito Adiwang and Danial Williams etched into the memory of every fan who watched them. Now 1-1 since moving up to flyweight, the 33-year-old Marrok Force affiliate arrives with something to prove.

Van Rooyen is no pushover. The 23-year-old South African bulldozed his way to a 7-0 record and the EFC Flyweight Championship before earning his place on ONE’s global roster. His promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 37 last November ended in a second-round TKO loss to Avazbek Kholmirzaev — the first blemish of his career — and he arrives here hungry to correct it.

Miado has done his homework and respects what he sees. The respect, however, stops the moment the bell rings.

“He’s quite well-rounded and also a kickboxing specialist. From what I’ve seen, his striking is very sharp. I noticed he also mixes things up quite well. After striking exchanges when his opponents commit, he changes levels and goes for the takedown. Technique-wise, he’s good and he has a lot of bullets in his chamber. We’re similar that way,” Miado said.

Jeremy Miado confident experience will be decisive against Willie van Rooyen

Jeremy Miado sees the age gap between himself and Willie van Rooyen as an advantage, not a concern. The battles he has endured against ONE Championship’s finest have built a mental durability that no unbeaten record can replicate. Van Rooyen may be calm and composed for his age, but pressure has a way of revealing what experience cannot manufacture.

The Albay native knows this fight goes to the striker who lands harder. He has no doubt which man that is.

“To be fair, Van Rooyen is quite calm and composed. At his age, he’s already that way, so I give him props for that. But I guess he’s coming in with more pressure to prove himself. But my experience is my biggest edge. I feel like I’ve faced some of the best fighters in the promotion, so that gives me a great mental boost,” Miado said.

Miado also sees weaknesses in Van Rooyen’s ground game that he plans to exploit. But the real statement, he believes, will be made on the feet — where he has always done his best work.

A finish is not just the goal. It is the expectation.

“When it comes to our striking, I believe it will come down to who has more power. Let’s see if he can handle my power. I hit a lot harder than him. I know I can take his shots, but let’s see how he’ll deal once I hit him with mine,” Miado said.