From Hungry Kids to Heavy‑Hitters: Ev Ting’s Road to the ONE Title
Ev Ting may have kicked off his life in a place where most meals were a polite gesture, but today he’s stepping into a cage that’s way bigger than the one he trained in as a kid. The Malaysian, who’ll face Ariel “Tarzan” Sexton on Friday, 23 February at ONE: Quest for Gold in Yangon, Myanmar, has a clear aim: hit the top spot of the lightweight division.
Growing Up in the Lean Years
“Life wasn’t a picnic,” Ting admits. “When it was meal time, we’d grab one or two plates for seven of us.” He grew up on the bare minimum, learning that hunger was a part of daily life. At 15, he and his siblings jumped into the local supermarket scene, taking on a mountain of part‑time gigs to keep the family afloat.
“I’ve had almost twenty different jobs,” he says with a chuckle. “If anything, my older siblings and parents pushed the envelope even more to keep everything running.” That early hustle didn’t just survive him; it also paved a path for the disciplined fighter he is now.
Hard Work Behind the “Show”
What fans see in the cage is only the tip of the iceberg. Inside the gym, night after night, he and his teammates grind through drills, cardio, and strategizing until the fight day. Ting swears it’s all about staying power.
“I wish I could give my future kids a buffet plate, but I’d rather let them taste the flavor of effort,” he jokes. “It’s all about learning the hard lessons, and I’m grateful to my parents for hard‑working them out. Even if I’m only ten percent of what they were, I’m happy.”
The Family’s Move to New Zealand
When Ev’s parents decided it was time for the family to relocate from Malaysia to New Zealand, it felt risky. But now, his success at ONE Championship has put the family on the winners’ side.
“They’re bursting with pride,” Ting says. “At first they were anxious, but now they’re my biggest cheerleaders—and honestly, the ONE community has started to see them as champions too. They know more fights than I do, or at least I think they do.”
Ready for the Big Push
Thanks to rock‑solid family backing and a career that’s only climbing, Ting is pumped to take on Sexton. A win in Myanmar would set him up for a shot at the ONE Lightweight World Title later in the year—and maybe, just maybe, a bit of extra swagger in the ring.
What to Expect
- Lightweight showdown with Sexton in Yangon
- Strategic, hard‑wired fitness routine
- Family roots in Malaysia & New Zealand fueling worldwide ambition
- Potential title‑shot on the horizon, if the victory lands
With storylines that go from “clean plates” to “heavy plates” in the cage, Ev Ting is stepping into the spotlight, ready to roll (and maybe even toss) his way into the ONE era. Cheers to the “E.T.” and a funny, hungry‑inspired future full of triumphs!
