ONE FC fighter Mark Striegl promises to bounce back from submission loss

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American fighter Mark Striegl remains optimistic that he will put himself back on the winning track after suffering a disappointing defeat at the hands of Reece McLaren.

McLaren, who replaced fellow Australian combatant Jordan Lucas on two weeks notice, pulled off a major upset in his ONE Championship debut by submitting Striegl with a rear-naked choke in the co-headliner of the “Spirit of Champions” card on Friday, December 11.

The 24-year-old native of Toowoomba, Queensland overcame a series of takedowns and a second round knockdown against the highly-favored Striegl, but he methodically chipped away at his opponent with stinging leg kicks. 

As his cage counterpart appeared to lose steam in the final frame, McLaren countered a weary takedown attempt in the third round with solid elbows before he advanced to Striegl’s back to latch on the fight-ending choke at the 3:33 mark of the third round. 

The disappointing defeat to McLaren derailed Striegl’s goal to face ONE bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes.

It is also the second submission setback of Striegl, who suffered his first prizefighting loss versus Jang Yong Kim in September 2013 for the vacant Pacific Xtreme Combat featherweight title.

In a post on his official Instagram page, the 27-year-old Striegl promised he will bounce back strong from the loss.

I will be back stronger, faster, and more enduring. Thank you to all the fans who came out to support and to my sponsors, keep believing. More exciting fights to come @burnsportsph #mma #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #oss #boxing #muaythai #wrestling #igersph #igersmanila #ONEChampionship #onefightnight #EvolveMMA #EvolveFightTeam

A photo posted by Mark “Mugen” Striegl (@markmugen) on Dec 12, 2015 at 4:40am PST

“I will be back stronger, faster, and more enduring. Thank you to all the fans who came out to support and to my sponsors, keep believing. More exciting fights to come,” he wrote.

According to Striegl, he did not suffer any serious injuries following the third-round submission defeat.

“Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.” Didn’t get the W last night, but I will be back stronger and better. Thanks to @onefcmma for taking care of me post-fight. #mma #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #boxing #muaythai #wrestling #ONEChampionship #onefightnight #EvolveMMA #EvolveFightTeam

A photo posted by Mark “Mugen” Striegl (@markmugen) on Dec 11, 2015 at 9:08pm PST

“Didn’t get the W last night, but I will be back stronger and better,” he quipped. 

Striegl joined Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization in December 2014 after a stellar run in PXC.

In his first ONE appearance this past April, Striegl made quick work of Casey Suire by compelling his American foe to tap in the first round with a rear-naked choke. – Rappler.com