Reece McLaren says win over Kairat Akhmetov puts him ‘first in line’ for world title shot

Australian spitfire Reece McLaren is looking at his upcoming fight against No. 2 flyweight contender Kairat Akhmetov with much significance. That's because he believes a win puts him first in line for a world title shot.

‘Lightning’ will take on the former ONE flyweight world champion from Kazakhstan in a rematch at ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video. The event is set for May 5 at 1stBank Center in Colorado, U.S.A.

Reece McLaren, currently the No. 4 contender in the division, is gunning for a third straight victory in his next fight to provide added wind to his push for a shot at the divisional gold.

In an interview with ONE Championship, the Boonchu Gym standout asserted that beating Kairat Akhmetov in their reengagement should open that door for him:

“I’ll be on a three-fight win streak [if I beat Akhmetov]. I will have just beaten the number two. So that has to put me first in line. I truly believe the winner of this one will be fighting for gold. So yeah, even more reason to tune in.”

Reece McLaren debuted in ONE in 2015 and has been a fighter to contend with in the flyweight division since. He lost to Akhmetov in their first encounter in 2019 but has won four of his last six fights since, including the last two.

Akhmetov, meanwhile, is on a five-fight winning streak, including the one over ‘Lightning’, and is making a strong case for the world title belt he once held.

ONE Fight Night 10 is the first-ever live on-ground event of the promotion in the United States. It will be headlined by the trilogy fight between reigning ONE flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson and former divisional king Adriano Moraes.

The event will be aired live and for free to all North American fans with an active Prime Video subscription.

---

“Reece McLaren, he’s right there” - Demetrious Johnson says Reece McLaren is priming for world title shot

No. 4 flyweight contender Reece McLaren is on a winning roll and believes a world title shot should be in the offing. Reigning ONE flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson agrees and sure thinks ‘Lightning’ is up there among those to be looked at.

In one of his interviews with ONE Championship last year, ‘Mighty Mouse’ shared his thoughts on the Australian fighter, saying McLaren has been proving himself and should be considered to vie for the title.

Johnson said:

“Reece McLaren, he’s right there. He’s a great athlete. He was in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix and came up short against [current #2 contender] Kairat Akhmetov. Yeah, his striking was good, man.”

McLaren will reengage with Kairat Akhmetov on May 5 at ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video in Colorado, U.S.A., with the winner widely believed to be earning a world title shot next.