In an age where fighters trading verbal barbs is at its absolute peak, ONE Championship star Mansur Malachiev lets his skills do the talking instead.
And the Russian star hopes to make a statement the strawweight MMA division will hear in his upcoming ONE Championship outing.
The #5-ranked contender will meet #2-ranked Bokang Masunyane at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel this Saturday, 5th October, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, in a bout that could hold significant World Title ramifications for the winner.
Given his South African opponent’s place in the division, Malachiev believes a strong showing should be enough to make a big step towards securing a shot at reigning king Joshua Pacio.
“I don’t like to talk too much before the fight, but I will do everything to win this fight. For me, it’s not important to finish him early. The most important thing for me is to win this fight and prove that I’m the best,” he stated.
“After the win, I deserve to fight for the belt, and it will be fair as Bokang is number two in the rankings.”
Though his mind is focused on Masunyane and the World Title, the 12-1 fighter also has eyes fixed on someone he feels he has unfinished business with – former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion and reigning interim titleholder Jarred Brooks.
Brooks has never been one to hold his tongue. He shoots from the hip when it comes to his opinions about stars in his division, and some of those bullets have been directed at Malachiev.
The Dagestan native believes “The Monkey God” is the man to beat at strawweight, and he’d welcome a chance to shut him up if he were offered it.
“I think Brooks is the real champion, not Pacio. That’s why I would like to fight him the most,” Malachiev stated.
“In my opinion, Brooks will never be very complimentary about my skills, judging by the strong words we’ve exchanged on social media. His biggest mistake is that he talks too much. One day, I will prove to him that he’s wrong about me and that he’s just a big mouth.”
