is ready to venture into enemy terr♊itory and take out one of Thailand’s most dangerous fighters at .
The Russian striking ace will square off with in a flyweight Muay🎀 Thai contest at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, th🔯is Friday, October 4, and he vows to leave a big impression on the U.S. primetime audience.
As a Russian National Muay Thai Champion and veteran of🐟 seven electrifying fights in ONE🌜, “Samingpri” has cemented himself as one of his division’s toughest competitors, boasting victories over a number of Thailand’s top talents.
Khalilov knows he’s in for a big challenge against Kongthoranee, who put together an incredible seve🍰n-fight winning streak before falling short against two-sport ONE World Champion in his most recent outing.
Still, the Russian feels prepared for his foe’s trademark southpaw weapon🐎s and believes he will have the advantage at range against the hard-hit🍰ting Sor Sommai athlete:
“It’s going to be a tough fight, and I’ll have to work hard. He’s good with his left leg and can deliver strong kicks to the head. He’s also s𒀰olid in the clinch and has good elbows.
“I’ll try to keep the fight at a dista🍒nce and use my signature style to💦 out-fight him. It won’t be easy. It’ll be a hard-fought match.”
As a two-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion𒅌, Kongthoranee has some seriou💜s accolades on paper.
Khalilov, though, isn’t intimidated by his opponent’s resume. After all, he’s already gone toe-to-toe with the likes of Superlek, lon🍸g-reigning flyweight Muay Thai k🐼ing , and four-time Muay Thai World Champion .
What’s more, “Samingpri” is ♒confident that his style of striking translates ജbetter to ONE’s ruleset when compared to traditional Muay Thai:
“Regarding him being a 🅷Rajadamnern champion, I’m already used to fighting highly decorated opponents. I’ve faced fighters like Superlek, Rodtang, and Yodlekpet, so it’s nothing new to me, and it doesn’t scare or stop me.
“Also, the Muay Thai competition where they were champions is a little different from what we have in ONE Championship now. The work here is different𓄧, the timing is different, and the small gloves change everything💦. It’s no longer classic Muay Thai, so to speak.”
A true professi🦋onal, Khalilov is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations for ONE Fight Night 25.
While he’s not about to reveal the specifi💖cs of his game plan, he says he’ll have some tricks up his sleeve on October 4:
“My coach and I always come up with some ‘tricks’ an꧙d focus on specific details for each opponent. Every fighter is unique, and you have to find the right approach for each one.
“We’ll be trying things out, and I’ll﷽ look for openings during the fight. Fans should dꦫefinitely look forward to my comeback, and I’ll show myself in my full glory.”
Khalilov Hungry For Rematch With Rodtang
It’s no secret that Tagir Khalilov, like a🌳ny other athlete on ONE’s roster of global superstars, is gunning for 26 pounds of gold.
Over the past few years, h🍸e’s faced the absolute best s꧒trikers on the planet and, despite experiencing mixed results, he’s proven he belongs among the flyweight upper echelon.
With that in mind, the R▨ussian is optimistic that he can fight his way toward a sho𒁃t at the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title:
“I think my position in ONE is pretty solid. I’ve fought some of the best fighters in my weight class, and people know me as a strong, skilled fighter. Even though I’ve lost to top-tier opponents, I’ve always shown character, resilien🦄ജce, and a determination to win. So, I believe I have good prospects in this organization.
“The main thing is to keep working on my mistakes, move forw💃ard, and never give up. That’s the most important thing in our sport. The only way is up, as they saᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚy. No going back.”
Sitting atop the flyweight ranks is dominant titleholder Rodtang Jitmuangon. Khalilov collided with “The Iron Man” in his promotional debut back in 2021, where he dropped a narrow split decision in an unforgettable kickbox♏ing clash.
“Samingpri” remains hungry for a rematch with the Thai sensation and kno🐠ws that a win over Kongthoranee Sor Sommai will be a massive step in that direction.
He added:
“This fight is another challenge for me. I want to get back on a winning sꦦtreak and move forward, aiming for the title. My main goal in ONE Championship right now is a rematch with Rodtang. I want to 💧take his belt.”
