Martin Nguyen wants to earn another world title shot through "hard work"

At ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video, former double champion Martin Nguyen is determined to get back in the win column in order to start building up some momentum.

For his training camp, Nguyen has been making the sacrifices needed to really dedicate himself to this fight, knowing how crucial a win is on February 24.

‘The Situ-Asian’ has struggled for consistency in his recent fights following his dominant run that saw him lift both the featherweight and lightweight world championships.

Nguyen, who has won just one of his last four fights, was hoping to have turned the corner early in 2022 after he picked up a win but his year ended with a loss to Ilya Freymanov.

In an interview with ONE Championship ahead of his return, Martin Nguyen spoke about how he hopes to reap the rewards of his commitment:

“Obviously, that shows through the hard work I've put in while trying to stay at the top. But me being able to perform at this level, and eventually, God willing, getting a title shot again. Then you know, all the hard work and dedication I put aside to be the best has come to play.”

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

Martin Nguyen has had multiple changes of opponent ahead of his return at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video, but his goal remains the same.

The former two-division world champion will now face Brazil’s Leonardo Casotti on February 24, as first reported by the South China Morning Post. Casotti was originally scheduled to make his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 6.

Nguyen was originally set for a contest against another top-five featherweight, undefeated Russian Shamil Gasanov, in a fight with huge stakes for the division.

Following the announcement that Gasanov had pulled out of the fight due to an infection caused by an injury suffered in his preparations for the fight, he was replaced by another undefeated prospect in Kyrgyzstan’s Razhab Shaydullaev.

Regardless of the opponent, Martin Nguyen is solely focused on picking up a win inside the circle. Whilst the initial fight with Shamil Gasanov was the one the fans wanted to see, the most important thing now for ‘The Situ-Asian’ is that he leaves the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok with another win under his belt.

ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24 will air live and free for North American viewers via Prime Video.