Martin Nguyen gets second opponent change, will now fight Leonardo Casotti

Martin Nguyen has had a bit of a perplexing time this past week.

The former two-division world champion had two several opponent changes in the last few days and it was revealed that he’ll now be fighting Brazilian fighter Leonardo Casotti at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video.

The South China Morning Post first broke the news about Nguyen’s new opposition.

Nguyen, who once held the ONE featherweight and lightweight world titles, was originally set to face undefeated Russian star Shamil Gasanov this Saturday, February 24, at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

Gasanov, however, had to pull out of the match due to an infection he suffered from an injury he sustained in training camp. Kyrgyz prospect Razhab Shaydullaev, who’s also undefeated, then took Gasanov’s place for the card but he too had to pull out of the match.

Nevertheless, Martin Nguyen didn’t seem to mind the sudden changes as he looks to get his groove back inside the circle.

The Vietnamese-Australian star is one of the best fighters in ONE Championship’s history with 11 wins with 10 finishes. Nguyen has knockout wins over former world champions Marat Gafurov, Narantungalag Jadambaa, and Eduard Folayang.

‘The Situ-Asian’ is also the only man to submit current ONE lightweight and welterweight world champion, Christian Lee.

ONE Fight Night 7 is available live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.

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Martin Nguyen recounts his best knockout win

Martin Nguyen is a quintessential mixed martial artist who can easily operate across different areas in the sport. His striking game, however, has always been his most lethal aspect.

The 33-year-old has eight spectacular knockouts in his ONE Championship career, some of which were played out constantly in highlight reels the world over.

Nguyen, though, has a favorite and that was his spectacular flying knee finish of Mongolian star Narantungalag Jadambaa at ONE: Roots of Honor in April 2019.

During a pre-event interview, Nguyen described how important his knockout of Jadambaa was in his career:

“Jadambaa [Narantungalag] being a former title holder and having taken out everyone for years and years kickboxing, boxing, or MMA, and just a standout name just in general throughout Asia and in martial arts. I feel that if you mention his name to anyone, everyone would know who Jadambaa is, that he produces the power, and that he produces the skill set. To be able to pinpoint that type of finish on such an experienced guy was the icing on the cake.”