Soriano downplays foe’s hometown advantage

MANILA, Philippines — Even if Burn “The Hitman” Soriano is entering enemy territory for his first ONE Championship bout of 2017, the Filipino fighter assured that home court disadvantage is no issue.?

Soriano is set to return inside the promotion’s cage against Malaysian standout Saiful Merican in a three-round bantamweight contest on the undercard of “Throne of Tigers,” set at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this February 10.

The 30-year-old native of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, had his first taste of overseas match last August, against Indonesian Mario Sitya Wirawan, making quick work of his foe with a spinning backfist.

Given that the three-round marquee matchup will be held in Malaysia, Soriano feels comfortable competing on foreign soil

“I always want to fight abroad. I want the feeling of entering hostile territory because it brings out the best of me,” he said.

“I am so motivated for this fight because I am facing a hometown hero in Saiful Merican. You all know what happened in my last fight,” Soriano added.

But against another striker, Soriano revealed that he is taking a smarter approach in his training camp.

“We’re doing a lot of striking … I’m also having an intense strength and conditioning program, so on fight night, I will have the best cardio,” he bared.

Merican, who holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 4-3, is coming off a first-round knockout setback to another Filipino — Team Lakay’s Geje Eustaquio — in January 2016.

Soriano expects that Saiful will squeeze himself through the eye of a needle just to get the win in his comeback bout.