Keanu Subba Is Re‑Rolling His Bounce Back in KL
After almost a year on the sidelines, Malaysian sensation Keanu Subba is finally gearing up to return to ONE Championship right here on his homeland turf. He’s set to drop the mic (or, maybe a jaw) at ONE: PURSUIT OF POWER in Kuala Lumpur.
First Fight on the Calendar
- Friday, 13 July – showdown vs. “White Dragon” Xie Chao.
- Subba vows to bring a battle-hardened version of himself compared to his last bout with Christian “The Warrior” Lee back in Aug 2017.
“I’ve Been Doing Some Heavy Reading”
Subba says, “I learned a ton. Since that fight, I’ve been devouring books, grinding research, and finally fixing the flaws I needed to level up.” He’s stoked to be larger, stronger, and wiser – basically the Swiss Army knife of fighters now.
The Feat of the Previous Fight
While the battle against Lee was one of ONE’s most memorable last year, Subba knows he has to step up in the ring with Xie at the Axiata Arena.
Xie Chao – The “Undefeated” Danger
- 3‑0 record in ONE.
- Emerging as a top threat in the featherweight division.
Subba, who’s got the same “next‑big‑thing” hype, admits that Xie’s ground game is solid. “He’s got experience, he’s fought tough guys – but mainly a grappler,” he says.
Getting to the Bottom
He wants to bring the takedowns and strikes to the table. He’ll be the boss on the ground – “I didn’t even try takedowns in my last fight,” Subba grins. He’s ready to find his groove again.
Need to Re‑Validate
The Malaysian champion says, “If I’d won against Christian Lee, I’d be right in the title race. But the break changed everything. People forget. I need to show that I’m still at the top – not just by winning, but by dominating.”
But the Division Has Moved On
While Subba’s on a hiatus, the featherweight gear has spun forward. He’s determined to snap back into the title conversation with a massive performance.
He’s learning the value of consistency. “I want to stay busy: fight 3‑4 times a year to keep the momentum,” Subba expresses as the big plan to keep his name on the radar.
TL;DR
- Keanu Subba returns July 13 versus Xie Chao.
- He’s re‑sharpening skills, plus a sharper fighting plan.
- Goal: Dominate, prove himself, and make one year’s worth of fights worth it.
