Mansur Malachiev shares how he once quit for two years before MMA career took off

Fifth-ranked ONE Championship strawweight MMA contender Mansur Malachiev of Russia is known today as one of the most talented fighters in the world's largest martial arts organization.

Though now a major mover in the ONE Championship strawweight MMA division, Malachiev wasn't always known for his fighting ability. In fact, if you had worked with him a few years ago, he would be just another ordinary guy you went to the office with.

That's because Malachiev took two years off of competing before making it big as a professional MMA fighter.

He told ONE Championship in a recent interview:

"There was a time when I quit sports and moved to work in the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala. After some time, two years or so, I decided to start training again to stay in shape and improve my striking technique, as there was an MMA gym near my workplace."

Luckily for Malachiev, he gave the sport another shot, and it worked out quite well for him. He went back to training, put in the work, and now competes among the very best in ONE Championship.

Fans will not have to wait long to witness Mansur Malachiev back in action.

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Mansur Malachiev to battle Bokang Masunyane at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video

32-year-old Russian rising star Mansur Malachiev is looking to make it two in a row when he steps back into the ring for his next fight.

The Industrial Fights representative is set to lock horns with no.2-ranked strawweight MMA contender 'Little Giant' Bokang Masunyane of South Africa.

The two throw down at ONE Fight Night 25: Nicolas vs. Eersel II on Prime Video, which broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live via global pay-per-view on watch.onefc.com. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.