Top-Five Ranked Flyweight MMA Contenders Sanzhar Zakirov, Hu Yong Set To Lock Horns At ONE Fight Night 36

Two of the flyweight division’s most feared finishers will collide when #3-ranked Uzbek sensation Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov squares off against #5-ranked Chinese powerhouse “Wolf Warrior” Hu Yong in a pivotal MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 36: Prajanchai vs. Di Bella II on Prime Video. 

This high-stakes clash will go down on Friday, October 3, from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Zakirov’s pristine 15-0 professional record speaks volumes about his skill set. The 22-year-old phenom has been unstoppable since joining ONE Championship, racking up six straight victories across flyweight and strawweight.

“Tornado” has systematically dismantled every opponent placed in front of him, earning a lucrative six-figure contract after his dominant run through ONE Friday Fights. His impressive decision victory over divisional mainstay Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada showcased his technical evolution, while his knockout win over seasoned veteran Eko Roni Saputra demonstrated his finishing instincts against elite competition.

Zakirov’s most recent triumph over South African powerhouse Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane at ONE Fight Night 30 last April proved he belongs with the upper echelon of the division.

The flashy Uzbek’s ability to finish fights anywhere the action goes has caught the attention of the entire flyweight division. His technical prowess, combined with an unrelenting pace, has made him one of the most dangerous contenders in the talent-rich 135-pound ranks.

However, Zakirov will be in for a tough challenge against an opponent with the same finishing instincts.

For Hu, this represents a golden opportunity to showcase the devastating finishing ability that has made him one of the most feared strikers in ONE Championship.

The 29-year-old Beijing native has compiled an impressive 8-2 promotional record, establishing himself as a legitimate threat to anyone willing to stand and trade.

“Wolf Warrior” has been nothing short of spectacular during his recent run, displaying the explosive knockout power and well-rounded skill set that earned him his place among the flyweight elite.

His methodical dismantling of former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio showcased his ability to perform under pressure against seasoned veterans.

The Fighting Bros Club standout followed that statement victory with another emphatic finish, needing just 63 seconds to dispatch Saputra with a perfectly timed left hook. That lightning-quick knockout demonstrated Hu’s evolution as a complete mixed martial artist, blending his signature combinations with improved timing and ring intelligence.

The Chinese striker is hungry for a statement performance that would move him toward ONE World Title contention. A dominant victory could potentially set up a highly anticipated rematch with reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu, after their closely contested battle ended in defeat for “Wolf Warrior.” 

This stylistic clash pits two top-five contenders with everything to prove in ONE’s ultra-competitive flyweight division. 

For Hu, victory would push him higher up the rankings, while Zakirov can cement his place as a legitimate threat. With both men possessing spectacular finishing ability, excitement is guaranteed when these surging stars collide.

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