Stephen Loman is not new to the sport of mixed martial arts but his transition to being a debutant in a new promotion kept him grounded through the months.
Loman, a long-time bantamweight champion in Bahrain-based promotion BRAVE Combat Federation, is set to enter the Circle for the first time against third-ranked contender Yusup Saadulaev of Russia in ONE: Winter Warriors II on Dec. 17 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
READ: Team Lakay fighters back in the Circle next month
The Team Lakay stalwart said his biggest adjustments heading into his first promotional match would be his training regimen and the hydration test, a method used by ONE Championship itself.
"Noon, parang 'di ako masiyado nagt-training kasi nag-isschool pa ako. Ngayon, I'm a full fighter na. Twice a week ako nagt-training and I think 'yon 'yong naging difference. Sa training naka-focus (I don't train that much before because of my schedule as a student. But now, I'm a full-time fighter so I train twice a week and I think that's the main difference. I'm much more focused on training now)," said the 29-year-old Loman.
As part of the general regulation and policies related to an athlete's weight, a hydration test is also required.
Per ONE Championship, weights will be checked daily during fight week while urine specific gravity will also be inspected the day after arrival and three hours prior to the event.
Fighters must be within their weight classes and pass specific gravity hydration tests "all week and up to three hours before the event."
"If an athlete falls outside the weight, or fails a test, they are disqualified from the event. Doctors may request additional testing at their discretion," the rules added.
This is something new to Loman but thanks to his Team Lakay brothers, things got a little bit easier.
"'Di ko pa alam kung paano 'tong hydration tests kaya doon ko malalaman sa weigh-in at nakakuha naman ako ng mga tips sa mga teammates ko (I'm not quite familiar with the hydration test but I got tips from my teammates)," said Loman, who holds a 14-2 record. "Kung paano sila hydrated kahit nakuha na nila yung kilo nila, susundin ko na lang 'yong mga sinasabi nila (I will make sure to follow those tips on how they maintained their weight and how they stayed hydrated)."
Meanwhile, Saadulaev, who has a 20-5-1 win-loss-draw record, is riding on a three-match win streak with the latest coming against Troy Worthen last December.
ICYMI: Loman to continue working hard despite missing ONE debut