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Fifth-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Elias Mahmoudi registered the scariest knockout win at ONE Fight Night 26 last Dec. 6, when he put Denis Puric to sleep in the final round.
By all accounts, 'The Sniper' seemed locked for a $50,000 bonus-winning incentive after that wild finish.
However, Elias Mahmoudi was ineligible for the extra dough after failing to meet the 135-pound limit, as the bout proceeded at catchweight.
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Speaking to Mitch Chilson in-ring shortly after arguably the biggest win of his career, the Algerian slugger revealed the reason behind his weight miss.
"I don't want to make some excuse for this failure, I’m sorry but three weeks before my fight, I broke my hand but I didn't say anything because I want to honor what I asked from my fight. But this injury hurt my training very hard because I couldn’t go to training."
The Mahmoudi Gym standout also promised to do better in his next appearance, adding:
"So it makes it hard to lose weight when you cannot go training for three weeks. It’s not an excuse because my job is to make weight. I came down to the weight but my condition is not good. But next time, I won’t fail. I’m sorry for this."
The full replay of ONE Fight Night 26 is available on demand for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Is Elias Mahmoudi ready for a world title shot?
Elias Mahmoudi's place at the top will certainly improve after taking out the No.3 ranked Denis Puric emphatically.
However, it remains to be seen if his weight miss will affect his chances to vie for the vacant flyweight Muay Thai crown.
'The Sniper' has already expressed his desire to fight former champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon, who had to vacate the belt after also failing to meet the demands of the scales.
Kongthoranee Sor Sommai also made a case for the 135-pound flyweight Muay Thai throne after his dominant win over No.4 ranked Nakrob Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 26.
