Akbar Abdullaev (12-0) will look to earn another shot at featherweight gold when he faces Ibragim Dauev at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Friday, September 5, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Abdullaev scored a fifth-round TKO victory over Tang Kai at ONE Fight Night 27 in January but was unable to claim the featherweight title after missing weight before the bout.
The 27-year-old Kyrgyzstani fighter dominated the defending champion over five rounds but left the arena without gold due to his scale failure.
"Yeah, I was disappointed, but it's all the will of the Almighty. Everything is for the best. I don't have the belt, so I don't feel like a champion," Abdullaev said. "I wanted that [rematch], but I knew he would never accept a fight with me."
Dauev (7-0) represents a significant test for Abdullaev's aspirations. The 24-year-old Russian has compiled a perfect 3-0 record since joining ONE Championship and has shown impressive skills against tough competition.
Abdullaev acknowledges the quality of his opponent while expressing confidence in his own abilities.
"I don't think that [either] me or him has any particular advantages. The fight will show. We both perform well and are on winning streaks. We both have character and ambition," Abdullaev said. "We usually put on exciting fights."
The top-ranked featherweight contender has returned to his standard preparation methods following his title fight disappointment.
"I was training as usual, in my own manner, with my team. I didn't change anything. I always say the fight will show, but I will fight in my usual way and style," Abdullaev said.
Abdullaev maintains respect for Dauev's well-rounded skill set while preparing for what he expects to be a difficult contest.
"I wish him a training camp without injuries. I am always getting ready for a full and maximum difficult fight with any opponent," Abdullaev said. "I never make predictions. Loss or victory, it's all from the Almighty."
A victory over Dauev would position Abdullaev for another opportunity at the featherweight title, though he would need to make weight successfully to be eligible for championship gold.
Dauev seeks to maintain his perfect record and continue his rise through the featherweight rankings with a statement victory over the division's top contender.
