Shamil Gasanov wants to cement his place in ONE Championship’s featherweight rankings by taking out one of the top fighters in the division in his upcoming battle. “The Cobra” is set to take on Garry Tonon at ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov on Friday, July 14, and their co-main event battle stands strong as one of the most-anticipated on the stacked card.

The star-studded event will take place inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and will be broadcast live and free on Prime Video for subscribers across North America.

Shamil Gasanov’s experience in MMA will be a significant advantage for him

Undefeated in 13 fights, the Russian grappler believes he has the edge in experience over his upcoming opponent when it comes to mixed martial arts. In an interview with ONE Championship, Gasanov revealed how his past battles have helped him prepare for Tonon and how his debut win against Kim Jae Woong last October has served as the perfect confidence booster. 

“In the ProFC league, I faced opponents of different levels, some above my own,” he said. “Each preparation for a fight presented unique problems that I had to overcome. Going through these challenges gave me the experience I needed to compete on the big international stage.”

“That victory was extremely important because I wanted to test myself in one of the best leagues in the world and see where I stand. It was even more significant to see how I performed against the [then] number 2 ranked fighter in our division.”

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He will face another tough contender in his sophomore outing. Currently ranked second in the stacked featherweight division, “The Lion Killer” is fresh off a win over Johnny Nunez earlier this year, which improved his MMA record to 7-1. Should he take out the American grappling superstar, though, “The Cobra” will undoubtedly be seen as a serious threat to the World Title currently held by Tang Kai.

Shamil Gasanov predicts an enthralling next bout for the fans

As such, he is focused on claiming another finish – and he advised fans not to miss a moment this Friday evening. “I will explore every possible avenue to win the fight. I can’t disclose my specific strategy, but we have a plan, and we will adapt it based on the situation,” Gasanov said.

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“I would advise my fans to keep their eyes fixed on the ring and not to blink, or else they might miss the most thrilling moments of the fight.”