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Fourth-ranked flyweight contender Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov has stood on the prime of the mountain earlier than, and now he believes that he’s able to problem for the gold but once more.
The previous ONE Flyweight World Champion needs to earn a trilogy bout in opposition to the division’s reigning king, Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, and he might take an enormous step towards that aim on Friday, 17 December.
That night, he’ll collide with #2-ranked Danny “The King” Kingad in the principle occasion of ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II, which airs from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Akhmetov was initially slated to satisfy the Filipino within the 2019 ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix semifinal spherical, however an damage pressured him to withdraw from the event.
The bout was rescheduled a number of occasions since then, however COVID-19 protocols continued to delay it.
Now, the long-anticipated combined martial arts contest will lastly happen, and “The Kazakh” is ready to go deep into the trenches to assert victory.
“I’m 100-percent prepared with no accidents or something bothering me. I really feel glorious. I’m able to make a present and carry out at my greatest,” he says.
“The followers ought to anticipate a really uncompromising battle. It’s tough to say [how it will go], however I do know I’ll really feel nice pleasure and satisfaction.”
Akhmetov has felt nice pleasure and satisfaction in his ONE profession earlier than.
In November 2015, the then-undefeated Kazakhstani grappling sensation beat Moraes in his promotional debut through break up choice to win the ONE Flyweight World Title from the Brazilian.
Sadly, “The Kazakh” aggravated a longtime again damage throughout a coaching camp at Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, the next yr, which put him on the sidelines for an prolonged time period. And in his return in August 2017, he dropped the belt again to Moraes and tasted defeat for the primary time in his professional profession.
The following a number of months have been tough for the previous titleholder. He skilled some combined outcomes and suffered a number of extra accidents. However now, he’s healed up and appears like he’s an excellent stronger athlete.
Presently, Akhmetov finds himself on a three-fight profitable streak – with victories over notable names like “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin, Reece “Lightning” McLaren, and “Holy Beast” Dae Hwan Kim – and he believes he has but to succeed in the head of his bodily prowess.
“I’m comfortable. I’ve three wins in a row, and I’m fourth within the rankings. This motivates me to change into the champion,” the 34-year-old says.
“At this second, I’m on the peak of my capabilities. I used to be immature earlier than my thirties. I began creating late in my life – it’s in my genes. Members of my household develop late. When my friends have been robust and able-bodied, I nonetheless appeared like a boy.
“My father used to inform me, ‘Time will come, and you’re going to get stronger, however it can take a while.’ My bodily parameters solely began creating after 30. I feel I will probably be at my greatest within the subsequent two to a few years.”
Akhmetov will have to be on type to get previous “The King.”
Like “The Kazakh,” the 26-year-old’s solely two defeats have are available title bouts – together with one to Moraes – and each males are desirous to take their place on the prime of the division.
Coming from the well-known Workforce Lakay, identified for his or her elite wushu abilities, Kingad will definitely deliver some high-level placing to the competition. Akhmetov acknowledges his opponent’s abilities, however the multi-time Kazakhstani Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion is aware of what to anticipate from the Filipino and has the instruments to fight it.
“It’s not our first camp, we already ready to battle with him earlier than. I studied him properly, and I feel he studied me too,” Akhmetov says.
“Kingad isn’t one-sided. He can battle standing. He’s bodily robust, and he is aware of wrestling properly. He’s versatile, and I prefer it. It can make for a aggressive bout. However after all, since my wrestling abilities are increased than his, I’ll put him down, for positive.”
That stated, the Filipino may additionally have some perception into his upcoming rival’s talent set.
Kingad trains with former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, who has fairly a historical past with Akhmetov. The person from Almaty, Kazakhstan initially defeated Eustaquio through break up choice in September 2017 however fell to him through unanimous choice in a rematch for the ONE Interim Flyweight World Title 4 months later.
Regardless that “The King” trains carefully with Eustaquio, “The Kazakh” doesn’t appear fazed one bit. In any case, he has studied the younger Filipino’s tape and isn’t satisfied the Workforce Lakay phenom can deal with his slick all-around recreation.
“[Kingad] had one knockout to start with of his profession, however all his final fights have been received by choice, break up or unanimous. He has by no means had knockouts, and he needs to knock me out?” Akhmetov provides.
“Sure, he has good stand-up, no questions right here, however don’t be stunned if it’s me that knocks him out. I’m not afraid of his stand-up.
“I’ll do stand-up and grappling. Combined martial arts is neither kickboxing, wrestling, or any separate sport – it’s combined martial arts. We’ll present ourselves in all facets.”
The Arlan Professional Workforce and Tiger Muay Thai consultant appears like he’s working towards a crescendo in his athletic profession, and a win over Kingad would put him proper again into the World Title combine.
His greatest aim is to earn a 3rd battle for the gold, however he additionally has lofty desires of bringing a ONE occasion to his dwelling nation and giving his compatriots an opportunity to see him compete dwell – and doubtlessly with a legend of the game in tow.
“After profitable this bout, I want to battle for the title, or with Demetrious Johnson in my homeland, Kazakhstan,” he says.
“We’ve enterprise to complete with Adriano Moraes. The rating is 1-1. I feel we should make it a trilogy. However I don’t need to make guesses.
“And all of Kazakhstan is ready for a ONE Championship occasion right here. That is my dream. However this contender battle is my identification card for my future dream.”
Now, it’s right down to Akhmetov to make it a actuality. He’s not one to make daring predictions, however he has religion that the work he has executed will earn him the victory in Singapore.
“I can’t foresee the end result of the battle, however I’m ready and able to go all three rounds. If I can win forward of time, I’ll do my greatest to take this opportunity,” he says.
“I respect Kingad, and I hope he respects me too. Merely put, let’s make a very good present and provides the viewers an ideal evening.”
Learn extra: Kingad Vs. Akhmetov Tops ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II On 17 December
