Donayre, Latoel face off in must-win ONE Championship bout

MANILA, Philippines – Vaughn Donayre is in a must-win situation in ONE Championship.

But his foe Vincent Latoel, whom he squares off with in Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 14, also needs a victory.

Latoel, a decorated kickboxer from the Netherlands, aims to arrest his losing skid at the expense of the Filipino. Although Donayre is also seeking to do the same.

“It’s given that he wants to win because he lost two of his fights in 2016. I expect him to be hungry for that win,” the Filipino said.

The Dutch-Indonesian Latoel lost to former Lightweight kingpin Kotetsu Boku in February. He again bowed down last August in the hands of Team Lakay's Eduard Kelly.

But as far as sense of urgency goes, Donayre has one that's been lingering for four fights. The Cebu-born combatant hasn't won any fight under the promotion's banner since his January debut. 

“If he is hungry to win, I’m more motivated and determined to win this fight. I am giving everything for this fight to make sure that I will get the victory,” he said.

“He is very experienced and willing to put everything on the line to win. That makes him dangerous. Vincent is someone who comes to fight,” Donayre added of his foe. 

And while the 37-year-old former URCC veteran has had more barren outings in ONE, he said that he can't lose forever.

“I need this win. It feels like I’ve been losing forever already. But this is my chance to prove that there is a light at the end of tunnel," Donayre noted.  "No one stays on the losing side.” 

While Latoel has better ONE Championship mileage under his belt – facing the likes of Eduard Folayang, Adrian Pang, and Eddie Ng – the Filipino thinks his opponent is not unbeatable.

"I would like to take advantage of the fact that he comes forward with reckless abandon. I am looking at that aspect and try to capitalize on it,” Donayre bared.

Donayre and Latoel joins the "Quest of Power" showpiece this coming Saturday. The card will be highlighted by the middleweight championship clash between reigning kingpin Vitaly Bigdash and Burmese MMA superstar Aung La N Sang.