- Black Belt Magazine
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Around eight years ago, Carlo Bumina-ang's daily routine involved waking up early to help his mother transport bananas from their harvest to his small stall in the Philippines’ Baguio Market.
On Friday, January 23, at ONE Fight Night 39 in Bangkok, Thailand, the 31-year-old will face undefeated Brazilian star Marcos Aurelio in a bantamweight MMA showdown that represents how far a person can travel when they dare to bet on themselves.
As the youngest of five siblings growing up in Baguio City, “The Bull” understood early that success required hard work and family came first. The small banana stall wasn't glamorous, but it was honest work that helped support his mother and contributed to his family's livelihood.
"I only started MMA in 2018. But before that, I had a small stall in Baguio Market, selling bananas from around 2016 to 2018. I would help my mother deliver her harvest. That was pretty much my life back then," Bumina-ang recalled, his words painting a picture of simple days filled with simple responsibilities.
There was nothing wrong with that life – carrying bananas, managing the stall, and helping his mother. Many people find dignity and purpose in such work. But Bumina-ang felt something stirring inside him, a restlessness that comes from watching others chase dreams while you're standing still. And he was watching a lot.
During those days, the 31-year-old would watch ONE Championship events. What started as casual viewing evolved into something deeper – an obsession, a calling he couldn't ignore.
"I started getting obsessed with MMA. I was watching ONE Championship, I thought to myself, I wanted to try this because after all, I like the idea of punching people," he shared.
Growing up in Baguio City meant growing up in the shadow of greatness. Team Lakay, the legendary gym that had produced multiple ONE World Champions, was right there in his hometown.
In 2018, coach Mark Sangiao's team was at its peak, with four simultaneous ONE World Champions – all from Baguio’s Team Lakay, all proving that fighters from the Philippines could conquer the world.
Watching those local heroes succeed planted a seed: if they could do it, maybe he could too. The question was whether he had the courage to find out.
In 2018, at an age when many fighters are already established or giving up on their dreams, Bumina-ang walked through the doors of Team Lakay – not as someone demanding to be a professional fighter, but humbly, as a student wanting to learn.
"I enrolled only as a student, then I enjoyed it. After two months, I told them that I would like to join the Team Lakay [fight team]. Coach Mark observed me during training and then allowed me to compete," Bumina-ang explained, describing how his professional career began.
What Coach Mark Sangiao saw during those training sessions was worth developing. The progression from there reads like a fighter's dream realized through relentless work.
Bumina-ang made his ONE Friday Fights debut in 2023 and immediately showed he belonged. One victory became two, then three, then four, then five consecutive wins. That remarkable streak earned him what every regional fighter dreams of – a $100,000 main roster contract with ONE Championship. What’s more, he became the first MMA fighter to earn the life-changing deal through the ONE Friday Fights platform.
Now, he faces perhaps his toughest test in Marcos Aurelio, an undefeated 21-year-old Brazilian phenom with an 8-0 professional MMA record and a Muay Thai title on his resume.
But “The Bull” is ready. Every time the Filipino steps into the ring, he carries with him the memory of those market days, the weight of bananas on his shoulders, the alternative life he could still be living.
"I'm grateful because right now I get to do what I love. Looking back five years ago, if I didn't take the risk and bet on myself, I would probably still be carrying bananas and selling them in the market," Bumina-ang reflected, the gratitude in his words unmistakable.
