Ibragim Dauev (7-0) will look to hand top-ranked featherweight Akbar Abdullaev his first career loss at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Friday, September 5, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dauev faces his toughest test against the undefeated Abdullaev (12-0), who holds a perfect finishing rate and recently scored a fifth-round TKO victory over ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai.
The 24-year-old Russian has studied Abdullaev's fighting style extensively and plans to dictate the pace of their high-stakes encounter.
"I watched Akbar's fights and studied his style. His weaknesses are unknown to me, but I know my strengths very well, and I intend to use them and impose my game," Dauev said.
Dauev acknowledges the finishing threat that Abdullaev poses but believes his aggressive approach will neutralize the Kyrgyzstani's dangerous striking.
"The main lesson for me is not to take a heavy shot. But, like him, I also know how to finish fights early," Dauev said. "I'm not going to play by his rules — I will impose my game and do everything so that the fight goes exactly as I want."
The Russian enters with a perfect 3-0 promotional record, including victories over previously undefeated opponents Magomed Akaev and Pedro Dantas this year.
Abdullaev brings a 4-0 record in ONE Championship and was unable to claim the featherweight title despite defeating Tang Kai due to missing weight before their bout.
Dauev remains confident despite facing an opponent with 12 consecutive finishes across his professional career.
"Akbar has 12 fights and 12 finishes. But this doesn't worry me, and I don't think about it at all," Dauev said. "I'm ready to fight anyone and beat anyone. This is MMA — anything can happen here, and this fight won't be an exception."
The winner will likely earn a shot at the featherweight championship, providing additional motivation for both fighters.
"This fight is very important for me because a victory will open up the opportunity for me to fight for the belt," Dauev said. "I know for sure that the winner of our fight deserves a title fight. I deserve this chance because [if I beat Abdullaev], that means my last three opponents were undefeated, and I also beat the number one in our division."
Moreover, Dauev believes his well-rounded skill set will prove decisive against Abdullaev's aggressive style come fight night.
"Akbar is a good and dangerous fighter, but I'm completely ready. I won't make predictions, but I will do everything to win at any cost," Dauev said. "I am always confident in myself and consider myself the best, no matter who they put me against. There is no fighter who cannot be defeated."
