Lucas Gabriel will face Magomed Akaev in a lightweight MMA bout on Friday, January 23, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok after the Russian withdrew from their originally scheduled ONE Fight Night 38 matchup due to injury.
The Brazilian star brings an undefeated ONE Championship record into the rescheduled contest, having showcased polished striking and grappling skills throughout his promotional run. Gabriel earned his most recent victory in October 2024 when he submitted previously unbeaten Gadzhimurad Amirzhanov with an arm-triangle choke for his third consecutive promotional win, lifting his career record to 9-1.
The 25-year-old emerged from ONE Friday Fights as a breakout prospect before earning his spot on the global roster. Gabriel's well-rounded skill set has made him one of the lightweight division's newest threats, though he seeks redemption after a no-contest result against Zhang Lipeng at ONE Fight Night 31 in May.
Akaev brings a formidable background into the matchup after compiling a flawless 10-0 record in Russia before joining ONE Championship. The Dagestani fighter earned seven stoppages during his regional run, demonstrating the finishing ability associated with fighters from his area.
His promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 32 resulted in a narrow split decision loss to Ibragim Dauev, providing Akaev with his first career setback. The close nature of the defeat has only increased his motivation heading into the Gabriel matchup, as the Russian seeks to establish himself within the lightweight division and work toward title contention.
The stylistic matchup presents an interesting contrast between Gabriel's polished striking and grappling blend against Akaev's Dagestani wrestling pedigree. Both fighters represent emerging threats in a crowded lightweight division seeking to separate themselves from the competition with statement victories.
Gabriel aims to extend his promotional winning streak and continue climbing the rankings after his brief setback against Zhang. The Brazilian's finishing ability has been evident throughout his ONE Championship tenure, with submission skills complementing his striking prowess to create problems for opponents.
Akaev needs a signature victory to bounce back from his debut loss and prove his regional success translates against elite competition. The Russian's unbeaten record before joining ONE Championship demonstrated his potential, but facing an undefeated promotional standout like Gabriel provides the opportunity to validate his credentials on the global stage.
