“Champion material” - Fans barely hold their excitement waiting for Akbar Abdullaev’s looming barnburner against Tang Kai in Bangkok

Excitement is building for ONE Fight Night 27 on Friday, January 10, and one of the major reasons is Akbar Abdullaev’s return to action.

This was confirmed when ONE Championship shared highlights of his most recent outing on Instagram:

Abdullaev’s stellar showing in the clip sparked a wave of reactions in the comment section:

“Champion material!”

“Man’s a beast.”

“Akabar, we believe in you. It’s time to make history. I hope you will do your job as well.”

The 27-year-old featherweight MMA sensation last appeared at ONE Fight Night 22 in May 2024, where he faced fellow rising star Halil Amir in an intense showdown between undefeated fighters.

The match was marked by a series of grappling exchanges as both athletes fought for dominant positions. Amir’s taekwondo skills kept Abdullaev on the defensive. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyzstani standout pushed forward, looking for takedown opportunities.

In the second round, Abdullaev took control, landing a brutal combination as the two broke from the clinch. A thunderous left hook sent Amir crashing to the canvas, knocking him out cold with mere seconds left in the frame.

This impressive finish earned Abdullaev a $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

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Akbar Abdullaev vies for 26 pounds of gold at ONE Fight Night 27

Now, Akbar Abdullaev returns to the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, to headline ONE Fight Night 27, where he will challenge Tang Kai for the ONE featherweight MMA world championship in a highly anticipated five-round battle.

Abdullaev has yet to see the judges' scorecards in his ONE career, having secured finishes in his last three bouts. However, he faces a formidable test in Tang, who remains undefeated in the promotion and has secured five of his last eight victories by knockout.

ONE Fight Night 27 will air live in the United States and Canada on Prime Video, with subscribers able to watch the event for free.