Carlo “The Bull” Bumina-ang is steadily carving his name into the ONE Championship landscape, embracing the trials of elite-level mixed martial arts after signing a US$100,000 contract with the promotion last year.

Bumina-ang made history as the first Filipino fighter to graduate from the ONE Friday Fights series, earning his main roster slot after stringing together five consecutive wins at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. It was a breakout run that introduced him as the next rising star out of Team Lakay.

But as with many rising fighters, the leap to the big leagues came with its own set of harsh lessons.

In his debut on the main roster, Bumina-ang suffered a heartbreaking loss to Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, who submitted him in the closing seconds of the fight. Instead of letting that setback define him, “The Bull” bounced back with two emphatic TKO victories — first against Song Min Jong and most recently over Mauro Mastromarini at ONE Fight Night 30.

Looking back on his transition to the global stage, Bumina-ang acknowledged the leap in competition.

“Oh the level of competition is certainly a whole lot higher now compared to my days in Lumpinee,” he said. “I’m not saying that the Lumpinee level is low. It’s just that fighters here are really of a different caliber.”

Now with three fights under his belt on the main stage, Bumina-ang is gaining momentum — and more importantly, confidence.

“Three fights in, I’m confident that I can hang at this level. I’m more composed now. I have a better killer instinct as well. There are challenges for sure, but I’m certainly learning and growing. I’m improving. I’m growing as a fighter.”

Asked about the biggest changes in his game, Bumina-ang pointed to his composure and self-belief as the most noticeable improvements. With each appearance, the 29-year-old from the Cordilleras feels more at home among the sport’s elite.

“I’ve grown my confidence. Honestly, when you compete in ONE Championship, you’re facing some of the best fighters in the world. Truly high-level fighters,” he added.

“That improved my confidence — going toe-to-toe with high-level fighters with a lot of experience. It’s given me confidence that I belong here. My composure is also better. I’ve managed my aggression better and balanced it well now.”

With his aggressive style now tempered by tactical awareness, Bumina-ang is proving that he’s not just another explosive newcomer — he’s a rapidly evolving fighter with legitimate potential in ONE’s stacked bantamweight division.