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After sitting on the sidelines for nearly two years, Kirill Grishenko is ready to get back to work and show off a new and improved version of himself.
The last time fans saw Grishenko in action, he suffered a 64-second loss to 17-time BJJ world champion Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida at ONE on Prime Video 1.
Now, the Belarusian behemoth is set to make his long-awaited return on Friday, July 5 when he squares off with South Korean knockout artist Kang Ji Won at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video.
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Speaking with ONE Championship ahead of his return to the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Kirill Grishenko offered an update on his overall health and his mindset going into his first fight since August 2022.
“Now, I’m completely healthy and ready to show the new and improved version of myself," Grishenko said. "I am ready to put on a great show. I know I have huge potential in MMA, and everything is in my hands.”
Kirill Grishenko looks to climb back into heavyweight title picture with win over Kang Ji Won
Since making his promotional debut in 2021, Kirill Grishenko has faced some seriously tough competition, including first-time ONE world title challenger Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane.
Grishenko also holds a victory over Canadian standout Dustin Joynson. Earning wins in both bouts, he earned an opportunity to claim the interim ONE heavyweight world championship.
Unfortunately for Grishenko, the man standing across from him was Anatoly Malykhin. 'Sladkiy' dispatched the Belarusian in the second round via KO to claim his first 26 pounds of gold.
With his next opponent, Kang Ji Won, holding strong with a 4-2 record in ONE, including wins over Mehdi Barghi, Amir Aliakbari, Paul Elliott, and Ben Tynan, Grishenko could climb right back into the heavyweight title picture with a decisive win over the South Korean.
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 23 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 5.
