Jamal Yusupov willing to face anyone to earn another world title shot

Turkish veteran fighter Jamal Yusupov exited his last fight limping and humbled but is still hopeful of getting back in the swing of things and resuming his world title pursuit.

‘Yeniceri’ fell mightily short in his push to seize the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title on February 24 at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video in Bangkok. He was torn down by reigning world champion Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai inside the opening minute of the first round of their world championship clash.

While he was still warming up to get his game going, Jamal Yusupov saw his bid shattered when Tawanchai unleashed a cracking kick to the challenger’s right leg that immediately immobilized the veteran fighter.

Referee Olivier Coste did not waste much time calling a stop to the match just 49 seconds into it, seeing Yusupov could in no way continue.

It was a finish that nobody expected, especially from the challenger who was packing a lot of momentum heading into the fight and had the credentials to give Tawanchai a tough time.

While dealt one of his toughest defeats, Jamal Yusupov is still committed to seeing his goal of being a champion through and is sticking with ONE Championship, sharing to the promotion:

“I like ONE, I like fighting in ONE. It’s a very good organization. I'm ready to fight any opponent to get a shot at a world title again. To fight for the championship belt is still my ultimate goal, so nothing has changed there.”

Prior to the loss to Tawanchai, Jamal Yusupov was on a roll, winning three straight since making his ONE debut in November 2019.

Jamal Yusupov believes he’s earned the right to face Tawanchai for the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title

While he fell short in his push to win the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title, veteran Turkish fighter Jamal Yusupov asserted that he earned the right to battle for it against reigning champion Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai.

He shared this in an interview with ONE Championship in the lead-up to ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video on February 24 in Bangkok, where the two fighters collided.

The 39-year-old Yusupov said:

“I have been moving toward this goal for a long time. I have been anticipating this title fight and now, I am here."

He added:

“I was not worried [that I had missed the opportunity]. I knew I was the number one contender, as I did not see anyone else in the division who could fight for the belt other than me. However, this fight is certainly a big step for me, and it is a big responsibility.”

Unfortunately, for Jamal Yusupov, his world title bid ended even before he got it really going, limping to a technical knockout defeat just within a minute into the proceedings. Tawanchai struck with a devastating kick on the right leg of the veteran fighter from which he could not recover from.

The three-time Russian kickboxing champion is now looking to bounce back and continue fighting in the hopes of putting himself once again in a position for another world title shot.