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There’s little doubt that #5-ranked Timofey Nastyukhin and #3-ranked Dagi Arslanaliev are two of the heaviest hitters in ONE’s light-weight combined martial arts division – and so they’re set to conflict for the second time at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS this Friday, 3 December.
Arslanaliev scored a shocking first-round knockout of their first assembly three years in the past, and Nastyukhin will likely be trying to even the rating.
However with every man dropping their final bout to former ONE Light-weight World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee, they’re equally decided to bounce again with an emphatic victory on the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Forward of the essential rematch, the 2 contenders spoke to ONE Championship Commentator Michael “The Voice” Schiavello and shared their ideas on the forthcoming second battle.
Nastyukhin appears like he missed an opportunity to beat his Turkish rival at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES in September 2018 as a consequence of his personal error. And although he hasn’t dwelled an excessive amount of on that defeat, the Russian knockout artist believes he can earn one again this time round.
“Every thing was going rather well till the missed punch. As soon as I missed that punch, you guys noticed what occurred through the combat,” Nastyukhin advised Schiavello.
“[The loss] doesn’t actually have an effect on me a lot. It occurred prior to now, and now we simply must flip the web page and transfer ahead.
“I really feel that I’ll positively win on this combat. However we are going to see how the combat will go.”
Regardless of proving himself the primary time round, Arslanaliev is comfortable to face the powerful Russian once more.
Following their first matchup, Nastyukhin received back-to-back fights – together with a large TKO victory over American legend Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez. He then fell brief in a World Title problem of Lee, however the Turkish star nonetheless believes this is a perfect matchup for his extremely anticipated return to motion.
“I used to be in search of somebody inside the rankings. Timofey is an effective fighter, and he wished this rematch,” Arslanaliev mentioned.
“I haven’t fought for fairly a very long time, and I used to be comfortable to simply accept this combat. I wish to confidently shut this query yet another time.”
That mentioned, Arslanaliev isn’t anticipating a straightforward evening in Singapore.
When reflecting on their first bout, he gave props to Nastyukhin and acknowledged that issues might have gone both approach. Furthermore, he’s anticipating one other powerful battle at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS.
“To be sincere, I didn’t even plan that [finish] through the combat. It occurred whereas the state of affairs was occurring. Timofey was actually good in his putting. In the course of the combat, I don’t know what occurred, however I punched him, and I KO’d him,” Arslanaliev mentioned.
“I by no means give predictions for fights, however I’ll inform you guys that this combat will likely be approach higher than the combat that we had earlier than.”
Nastyukhin was equally reluctant to name his shot however said that he’s ready to push his rival past his limits as he goals for redemption.
“It’s not an ideal factor to look forward and predict one thing. I’m prepared for all three rounds, and I’m simply able to combat all of this. We are going to see through the combat,” the Russian provided.
Each males have goals of capturing World Title gold on the worldwide stage. They’ve suffered setbacks alongside the best way, however these have solely made them hungrier to succeed.
Their primary focus is a decisive victory, understanding {that a} convincing win would instantly propel them towards the apex of the division – and Arslanaliev had the ultimate say on his subsequent targets
“The winner of this combat is meant to be the challenger for the following combat in opposition to [ONE Lightweight World Champion] Okay Rae Yoon,” the Turkish contender added.
“Sooner or later, after I get the combat with the champion, positively, I wish to combat with Christian Lee and end what I’ve to complete from final time.”
Learn extra: How To Watch ONE: WINTER WARRIORS On 3 December
