On the surface, ONE lightweight athlete Ev "E.T" Ting's path to becoming a professional martial artist was fairly conventional.
While Ting's love for the art of fighting began with an addiction to watching DVDs of famous Japan league Pride, which starred the likes of countryman Mark Hunt, when you dig a bit deeper, the Kiwi-Malaysian's approach has a subtle yet significant edge to it.
Most fighters will tell you they realised the kind of exceptional ability after an extended period of training, even a couple of fights.
In Ting's case, he appeared at the gym's front doorstep on day one adamant that he was going to make martial arts his job - without even having thrown a single strike.
"I showed up and told coach Hamish Robertson at Auckland MMA, 'hey I really want to give this a shot, I want to make this a career'," Ting recalls.
"Most people want to try it out and do it for fitness and have one fight and take a lot of pictures. For me, it was how do I get there? I knew exactly what I wanted. I set the big goals from day one."
READ: Ev Ting is getting ready to roar in Lion City
READ: Ev Ting booked for ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix bout in Singapore
Robertson - his head trainer to this day - put him on the right track, and the rest is history.
"He put me through a fundamental program and then a few grappling matches, then developed me through the journey. All the props to him, he's definitely been a big guidance through my career."
It's testament to Ting's drive and determination that he was able to achieve what seemed - at the time - such a lofty goal.
Now, 21 professional fights deep, he'll take his talents to the big stage at ONE Championship's Call to Greatness in Singapore on Friday against dangerous Dagestani Saygid "Dagi" Arslanaliev.
The bout will open proceedings for the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix - an eight-man tournament to decide who will become the number one contender for the division's title.
Ting has his target firmly set on the strap to which he's come close to on a couple of occasions but never quite managed to grasp.
"There's a new belt on the line for this GP and there nothing I'd like more than that and I feel like I'm in a good position to get it. Unleash and show my skills on fight night, and I should be alright,” Ting concluded.
Astro Awani
Tue Feb 19 2019
![Ev Ting fixated on winning ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Ev Ting fixated on winning ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/81550567610_EvTing.jpg)
Ting has his target firmly set on the strap to which he's come close to on a couple of occasions but never quite managed to grasp. - Instagram pic/@evting/ONE Championship
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
![10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu 10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722145972_KebakaranGeneric.jpg)
10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu
Menurut PGOB kesemua mangsa yang cedera telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Bintulu untuk rawatan lanjut.
![Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713736324_HusseinOmarKhan.jpg)
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar yang ditemukan di Sungai Klang petang tadi dibawa ke Unit Forensik Hospital Shah Alam (HSA) untuk urusan bedah siasat.