colin
Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev believes he’s inside hanging distance of the ONE Bantamweight World Title.
The division’s #4-ranked contender will sq. off towards debuting Filipino hotshot Stephen “The Sniper” Loman at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II on Friday, 17 December, and he thinks a victory on the Singapore Indoor Stadium would earn him a crack on the gold.
“Completely, sure. I count on to be the following contender for the title if I win this combat,” Saadulaev says. “For certain.”
It’s troublesome to argue with the Dagestani submission specialist, who owns the resume to again up his World Champion aspirations.
The 36-year-old holds a 20-5-1 (1 NC) skilled document – together with 13 finishes – and can carry a formidable three-bout profitable streak into this blended martial arts contest with Loman.
And though “Maestro” has competed in varied weight courses over time, he hasn’t suffered a loss within the bantamweight division since 2014.
However whereas Saadulaev is using a wave of momentum, “The Sniper” will current a novel problem.
The much-heralded Filipino will deliver a 14-2 document and an eight-fight profitable streak into his first promotional look.
He makes use of Staff Lakay’s signature model of wushu, which has produced among the most devastating strikers in MMA, together with reigning ONE strawweight king Joshua “The Ardour” Pacio.
However in contrast to the fitness center’s outdated guard – which largely emphasised hanging – Loman represents Staff Lakay’s new technology of younger expertise, who’re complementing their stand-up arsenals with harmful grappling.
Saadulaev has change into very acquainted with the 26-year-old rising star after watching him compete in different promotions round Asia. And for his half, the veteran is kind of impressed.
“I’ve seen some fights of Loman, and his strengths are that he has explosive assaults, good takedowns, [good] management, and good timing,” the Dagestani says.
“He’s a reasonably good wushu sanda fighter. I don’t see many weaknesses in his sport.”
In fact, this isn’t “Maestro’s” first rodeo with Staff Lakay.
Saadulaev made his ONE debut towards Loman’s teammate Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon again in October 2012. Nevertheless, he ate a number of leg kicks from the Filipino star, whereas a doomed takedown try allowed Belingon to take high place and rating a first-round TKO.
Saadulaev admits inexperience obtained the most effective of him however notes that he took away loads of classes from that defeat. And 9 years later, he’s a totally completely different “Maestro.”
“It was my debut in ONE Championship, it was a very long time in the past since then,” Saadulaev says.
“I improved lots in each facet. Additionally in wrestling, I obtained higher too. I made some errors, I assume [with] Kevin Belingon, so proper now, I’m prepared [to fight Stephen Loman].”
Ought to the Dagestani spoil Loman’s extremely anticipated debut on 17 December, he would undeniably strengthen his case to be subsequent in line after John “Arms of Stone” Lineker for a crack at reigning bantamweight titleholder Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes.
However getting the World Title shot is just one piece of the puzzle for “Maestro.” He desires to be referred to as the best fighter in his division, which is why this matchup with “The Sniper” at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II is a must-win scenario.
“I’m nonetheless centered on turning into the most effective bantamweight in ONE Championship and on the planet,” Saadulaev provides. “So, I’m being very skilled for this combat.”
Learn extra: Andrade, Haida Confirmed For ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II Lead Card
