Filipino-Norwegian MMA king wants to fight as Pinoy warrior

MANILA, Philippines - He has the blood of a Norwegian conqueror and the heart of a Filipino, but to Ole Laursen the greatest honor is to fight for the land of his ancestors in the cruel field of martial arts.

Laursen was born to a Cebuana mother in the Philippines. His family went to Denmark when he was two years old. But despite growing in a foreign country, Ole always had the heart of a Filipino warrior.

Just like the typical Filipino male, he loves and respects his hardworking Filipina mother who took multiple jobs to raise him and his siblings.

When he was of age, he left Denmark and lived in far-flung areas in Thailand and trained himself to become a relentless kickboxer.

He has fought at least 50 muay thai, K-11 and kickboxing fights and has won numerous kickboxing titles in different fighting arenas such as the I.K.F. European World Championships (2000), IMTC World Championships (2001) and the King’s Cup in Thailand (2002).

As an MMA fighter, he was matched with the best such as the Shooto champion Caol Uno and Genki Sudo. He is known to put on good and extremely entertaining fights for everyone. He is very confident and aggressive inside the cage but once outside, just like most Filipino athletes, he is very low key and humble.

His latest achievement was beating fellow Filipino Edward Foolayang at ONE FC: The War of the Lions in Kula Lumpur months ago.

He is popular throughout Asia, competing in the best combat arenas such as K-1, Super League and ONE FC, but his obsession is to be known in the country where he was born.

“I am a true Filipino and it is still my ultimate dream to showcase my skills here in the Philippines,” Ole says with a smile.

While in the country he was invited to train with Manny Pacquiao in Davao in 2004. Also in 2001 he tried out with the taekwondo and pencak selat teams but he was not allowed to spar or apply.

He didn’t lose hope and in 2005, he tried and was accepted by the national boxing team. For one reason or another, he was dropped from the team.

After establishing residence in the Philippines, he recently reacquired his Filipino citizenship to fulfill his life-long dream to fight as a truly Filipino warrior.

“It’s my dream to be cheered by fellow Filipinos in my combat sports – boxing, mixed martial arts or kickboxing or muay thai. I know that opportunity will come,”  says the Fil-Norwegian warrior.