Abdullaev Vs Dauev, ONE Fight Night 35: Kyrgyz Sensation 'Don’t Feel Like A Champion'

Top-ranked featherweight MMA contender Akbar “Bakal” Abdullaev returns to action against Russian powerhouse Ibragim Dauev carrying the weight of unfinished business.

The undefeated Kyrgyzstani sensation is coming off a failed bid at capturing the ONE Featherweight MMA World Title in his last outing and is looking to take a step back toward the gold when he faces Dauev at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video.

This high-stakes encounter between two of the division’s hottest stars will take place at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, September 5, live in U.S. primetime.

“Bakal” was last seen at ONE Fight Night 27 this past January, where he systematically dismantled reigning ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai via fifth-round TKO.

But what should have been his crowning moment quickly turned bittersweet. Abdullaev faltered on the scales prior to the bout, making him ineligible to win the belt.

Though the undefeated 27-year-old was victorious that night, his dreams of gold slipped right through his fingers.

Abdullaev reflected on that missed opportunity. He told onefc.com: 

“Yeah, I was disappointed, but it’s all the will of the Almighty. Everything is for the best. I don’t have the belt, so I don’t feel like a champion. I wanted that [rematch], but I knew he would never accept a fight with me.”

For Abdullaev, the path back to World Championship glory is clear. It runs directly through Dauev, a 24-year-old Chechen warrior who has quietly compiled an impressive 3-0 record since arriving in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Knowing what’s at stake in his next contest, “Bakal” is undeterred by the magnitude of the moment and he remains confident he can best Dauev to get back to where he belongs.

That being said, the Kyrgyzstani standout refuses to take his opponent lightly. He is prepared to take the victory by any means necessary and acknowledges the dangerous skill set and ambition that Dauev brings to their encounter:

“I don’t think that [either] me or him has any particular advantages. The fight will show. We both perform well and are on winning streaks. We both have character and ambition. We usually put on exciting fights.

“Every fight is different from the previous one. Anything can be expected, I will try to prepare to the maximum.”

Abdullaev Wants The Best Version Of Dauev

With burning motivation to score another impressive win that could potentially earn him that highly anticipated rematch with Tang Kai, Akbar Abdullaev enters the ring as a man with everything to prove.

But rather than dwell on what could have been, Abdullaev immediately returned to the drawing board to fix his mistakes. Now, the Moscow-trained fighter vows to bring the signature intensity he is known for when he steps back into the ring on Friday night.

The Al Munar Team and Tiger Muay Thai product expects to return to action with a vengeance:

“I was training as usual, in my own manner, with my team. I didn’t change anything. I always say the fight will show, but I will fight in my usual way and style.”

Needless to say, Abdullaev has nothing but genuine respect for Dauev’s well-rounded skill set that has proven potent against some of ONE’s toughest featherweights. The Chechen star has shown remarkable composure in his perfect run in the promotion, scoring big victories that often seemed improbable.

But “Bakal” knows what he’s up against and he’s not underestimating Dauev in any way. He remains unfazed against the stern test that lies before him. The Kyrgyzstani star knows the perils that his opponent brings, but he wants nothing but the best version of Dauev in the ring at ONE Fight Night 35.

The #1-ranked featherweight MMA contender shared: 

“I wish him a training camp without injuries. I am always getting ready for a full and maximum difficult fight with any opponent. I never make predictions. Loss or victory, it’s all from the Almighty.”

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