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The ONE Gentle Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title struggle between reigning king Roman Kryklia and Murat “The Butcher” Aygun was initially scheduled for October, however Kryklia believes the delay is unhealthy information for his rival.
The pair will now struggle for the gold at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS on Friday, 14 January, on the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and the Ukrainian striker has used the previous couple of months to change into much more famililar together with his challenger.
“It’s not the first time we’ve got ready for this bout. There have been some difficulties, however now I really feel one hundred pc and within the good kind for the upcoming struggle,” Kryklia says.
“With my coach, we’ve studied the opponent and ready for him for a very long time, and now I have an opportunity to point out the outcomes of this work.”
With two near-perfect ONE Tremendous Collection performances to his credit score and the World Championship gold round his waist, Kryklia has already made fairly an impression on the worldwide fan base.
And regardless of a roller-coaster journey main as much as this World Title protection, the 30-year-old isn’t feeling any additional strain about his co-main occasion conflict with Aygun.
“It’s an amazing duty to be a champion. Each struggle is watched by lots of people, expectations are excessive. It’s a problem in my life to defend my title every time. However I like that. I like challenges and can get pleasure from it,” he says.
“I put together for every of my fights with most duty, strategically and bodily. Then, after I enter the Circle, I’ve just one objective – to win and present myself off. Through the struggle, I’m not enthusiastic about defending the title.”
After their final bout fell by, Kryklia was initially booked for a transfer as much as heavyweight to compete for a second ONE Tremendous Collection World Title in opposition to Iraj Azizpour.
Nonetheless, the Ukrainian was pressured to withdraw from that matchup, and he’s now again at gentle heavyweight – a spot he feels most harmful, particularly with 7 centimeters of peak and 24 centimeters of wingspan over his foe.
“I really feel very comfy [at light heavyweight]. I at all times really feel my superiority in velocity, [physical] parameters, and feeling of distance,” Kryklia says.
“For gentle heavyweight, I’m very tall and attempt to use my peak benefit. Accordingly, the fellows who’re shorter discover it onerous to manage the state of affairs in the course of the struggle and to hit inside their distance. That is one among my most important benefits on this weight class.”
Kryklia additionally thinks that benefit will likely be exacerbated by his opponent’s fashion. “The Butcher” likes to wade ahead with heavy combos, however that would see him run into issues in opposition to the cerebral World Champion.
“Murat Aygun is sort of an aggressive fighter who strikes in combos together with his legs and arms, a basic Dutch college of kickboxing,” Kryklia says.
“I’ve studied him, however having mentioned that, I feel I received’t face any issues. I like going through guys with an aggressive angle who maintain urgent ahead. It’s solely good for me, I’m prepared for it.
“[He does] nothing unpredictable. That is precisely what you may anticipate from him — going ahead, and hitting inside his distance. All that is predictable for me. I’m prepared for his plan of action.”
Nonetheless, the champ doesn’t anticipate to easily run by the Dutch-Turkish challenger, who holds a 17-1 file within the placing arts as a result of his unbelievable energy and granite chin.
As a substitute, the reigning king needs to do what he does greatest – outfox “The Butcher” utilizing his expertise and attributes, displaying that technical proficiency can overcome brute drive.
“Within the upcoming struggle, I need to present full management over the state of affairs,” Kryklia provides.
“I don’t have a particular plan in thoughts to finish the bout with a sure motion. The principle factor is to really feel the opponent and management the complete bout.
“After all, knees are one among my favourite strategies. We’ll see if Aygun has learnt easy methods to defend himself from them.”
Learn extra: 5 Causes Why Roman Kryklia Is Amongst The Baddest Males On The Planet
