Martin Nguyen understands his limitations fighting in the ring

When Martin Nguyen makes the walk for his ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video showdown with undefeated Russian Shamil Gasanov, he won’t hear the sound of a cage door behind him. Instead, he’ll step between the ropes for a high-stakes scrap inside the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, ‘The Situ-Asian’ discussed the difference between fighting in a ring versus and cage and the advantage of competing inside a ring for his wrestle-heavy opponent:

“I think the ring favors the wrestler. But in terms of that, I think it gives the guy defending the wrestling more of a chance to sprawl or sprawl harder as well. I already experienced what it felt like to fight in a ring against [Koyomi] Matsushima. It is scary when they lift you up. I didn’t know what to do but I already experienced what it feels like in there. Environment-wise, I feel like I have an advantage.”

Martin Nguyen will go into his February 24 fight with ‘The Cobra’ desperate to get back into the win column after a recent rough patch in his career. On the flip side, Shamil Gasanov will enter the bout with a truckload of momentum after delivering a first-round submission against Kim Jae Woong in his promotional debut in October.

Gasanov is 13-0 overall and is already listed as the No.5-ranked featherweight in ONE Championship after his dominant win at ONE on Prime Video 3.

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Martin Nguyen is “buying the hype” of Shamil Gasanov

When undefeated Russian Shamil Gasanov stepped into the Circle at ONE on Prime Video 3 last year, fans were clued in on his 12-0 record but didn’t know what to expect from the fighter who had only competed in regional competition.

It only took ‘The Cobra’ 129 seconds to introduce himself to the fans of ONE Championship and show exactly what he’s capable of:

“I’m buying the hype... He’s a good guy and a good fighter,” Martin Nguyen said. “Obviously 13-0. You can’t fight 13 bums. Good for him. There was once upon a time, another Russian guy that I fought that was undefeated and riding a huge hype as well. So I kind of see it like there’s a lot of similarities there.”

In addition to Martin Nguyen's return, fans will also be treated to a main-event rematch between Fabricio Andrade and John ‘Hands of Stone’ Lineker for the ONE bantamweight world championship. Fans in North America can watch the event live and for free in U.S. primetime on Amazon Prime Video.