Elias Mahmoudi hopes a win over Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 26 puts him “a step closer to the belt”

Elias Mahmoudi is stopping at nothing to get that elusive world title shot in ONE Championship, and he believes his next match could seal that move for him.

The Algerian striker will take on the hard-hitting Denis Puric in a flyweight Muay Thai match at ONE Fight Night 26 on Dec. 6, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Taking to Instagram after his fight was officially announced, Mahmoudi promised nothing short of a barnburner against Puric when they touch gloves in Bangkok for ONE Championship's final Amazon card of the year.

Elias Mahmoudi wrote:

"Another step closer to the belt. My fight against the number 2 [3] in the flyweight rankings. We hope that after this fight it will be the title [next]. To all those who follow me, I promise you a fiery fight.🔥🔥🔥"

Mahmoudi is the fifth-ranked contender in the dangerous flyweight Muay Thai division and a win over Puric, who sits at the third spot in the rankings, could push him to a shot at the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.

'The Sniper' has been on a solid run of form with two straight wins and three victories in his last four matches.

Mahmoudi is coming off back-to-back knockout wins over Edgar Tabares at ONE Fight Night 13 and Taiki Naito at ONE Fight Night 24.

Puric, meanwhile, had back-to-back wins over Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat and Jacob Smith before losing in a catchweight kickboxing match against Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 167 in June.

ONE Fight Night 26 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Elias Mahmoudi also eyeing a world title challenge against Superlek Kiatmoo9

Elias Mahmoudi isn't just setting his eyes on the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title.

The 26-year-old also aims at the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title that firmly sits in Superlek Kiatmoo9's stacked trophy cabinet.

Following his clinical knockout of Taiki Naito, Mahmoudi said he wanted to challenge Superlek for the division's kickboxing throne and asked ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong to put him against the Thai superstar.

"For my last message, Chatri, big boss, please, give me a shot at the title soon. I want to fight for the title of the big champion."

Mahmoudi was supposed to challenge Superlek, who also holds the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title, for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title in January but pulled out of ONE Fight Night 18 due to an injury.