Dmitry Menshikov will attempt to accomplish what many others have failed when he competes in the main event of ONE Fight Night 11 on Prime Video on Friday, June 9.
The promotional newcomer is the latest man tasked with the job of dethroning ONE Lightweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Regian Eersel, who hasn’t suffered a defeat since 2018.
While it’s an incredibly tough task, the hard-hitting Russian has the tools and support system to pose a serious threat to “The Immortal.”
Here are three reasons why Menshikov could be the man to finally end the two-sport king’s incredible 21-fight winning streak when he challenges for the lightweight Muay Thai belt at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
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#1 He’s In Peak Form
Menshikov can’t match Eersel’s 21 straight victories, but he’s in the midst of his own impressive streak.
The 25-year-old striker has won 11 consecutive bouts, with almost all of those wins coming in dominant fashion against high-level adversaries.
He’s added six knockout wins in that span and strongly believes that he can overcome the Dutch-Surinamese titleholder when they clash in the home of “the art of eight limbs.”
Confidence is huge for a fighter, but so is having nothing to lose – and both of these are true for Menshikov.
Given Eersel’s control of ONE’s lightweight striking divisions, many will view the Russian as the heavy underdog, but he’s coming in hot and could take his opponent by surprise.
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#2 He Trains With The Best
Competing out of Empire Club and Kuzbass Muay Thai, Menshikov has elite-level coaches and training partners to help him prepare for this shot at the world’s best lightweight striker.
Coached by Vitaly Viktorovich Miller and Valery Yurievich Vinokurov, the Russian gets all of the technical knowledge he needs to excel.
On top of that, the Prokopyevsk native hones his craft alongside #2-ranked ONE strawweight Muay Thai contender Aslanbek Zikreev, Artem Vakhitov, Alexey Ulyanov, and Andrey Khromov.
Plus, Menshikov has spent time training in Thailand, where he’s sparred with the likes of reigning ONE World Champions Chingiz Allazov and Roman Kryklia, showing him exactly what’s needed to reach the top on the global stage.
#3 He Has Huge Knockout Power
Power is always a great equalizer against any opponent – and Menshikov has it in spades.
He’s won 19 of his 27 professional contests by KO, with many of those coming against world-class athletes in other top organizations.
And when asked to describe his fighting style, the Russian says that his nonstop aggression can “break rivals physically and mentally.”
More specifically, Menshikov has concussive power in both hands, with his overhand right and left hook more than capable of felling even the most durable rivals. He also has strong knees and kicks that can help him find routes through opposing defenses.
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One shot could instantly change the complexion of this main event, so Eersel will have to be on point from the opening bell when he meets the very dangerous challenger.
