Unbeaten featherweight MMA star Akbar Abdullaev is synonymous with finishing fights before they even get started.
He built that reputation before joining ONE Championship, and he’s only added to it since joining the promotion.
The Krygz titan will look to impose his will on fellow undefeated sensation Halil Amir when they come to blows at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova this Saturday, 4th May, inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, but he knows it won’t be easy.
Though “No Mercy” claims Turkey as his homeland, he shares a birthplace with Abdullaev.
Knowing what his compatriots are made of, and the legendary help Amir has received ahead of their clash, “Bakal” expects him to pose a significant threat in his first fight since moving down from a successful run in the lightweight MMA ranks.
“Everything is interesting about this fight. It will be a puncher against another puncher. We are both undefeated with a strong fighting character, and we both give great shows,” he assessed.
“I think preparing at Khabib [Nurmagomedov]’s training camp will give him confidence, so he will be more dangerous. He was born in Kyrgyzstan, so he is tough. Let’s see how he does when he moves down to our division.”
Abdullaev will put his perfect 10-0 slate on the line this weekend, which is no small thing for the 26-year-old.
He is well aware of what it means for his standing in the MMA world at large, and what a loss could do to his chances of challenging ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai in the future.
As such, “Bakal” is focused on making no mistakes in his clash with Amir at ONE Fight Night 22.
“It is very important for me to stay undefeated. There is a demand for undefeated fighters. I joined this organization to be the best. After this fight, I want a chance to fight for the belt against the World Champion,” Abdullaev said.
“My prediction for the fight is always the same – the ring will be the judge. Whoever forces his style on the match will win.”
