ONE featherweight Muay Thai killer, Jamal Yusupov, might be the next great world champion you've never heard of. Although 'Yeniceri' is relatively unknown to casual fight fans, he bares the same ferocity and toughness that's synonymous with his mountainous hometown of Dagestan.
Jamal Yusupov is a three-time Russian kickboxing champion and European kickboxing champion. He entered ONE Championship with a record of 51-7 and was immediately fed to the wolves. Little did everybody know that 'Yaniceri' is an alpha wolf himself.
Against the legendary Yodsanklai Fairtex, Yusupov made a resounding statement. Accepting the bout on short notice, the Dagestani absolutely starched the former WBC, WMC and Lumpinee world champion. The upset was swift and furious as Yusupov overwhelmed the famed 'Boxing Computer' with his furious combinations.
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In a video posted by ONE Championship, we saw Jamal Yusupov connecting with a wicked three-punch on the man famously known as 'Yod'. Needless to say, it as brutal as it was dazzling to watch:
"Jamal Yusupov NAILS it 💥 Catch “Yeniceri” challenge the reigning featherweight Muay Thai king Tawanchai PK.Saenchai at ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24! 🏆 @yusupov_jamal"
After his unbelievable upset victory over Yodsanklai, Yusupov went on to win two more over Samy Sana and Jo Nattawut. After an incredible three-fight winning streak in ONE, 'Yeniceri' will finally get his much-deserved first world title shot in the organization.
Jamal Yusupov to challenge Tawanchai PK.Saenchai for the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title
Russian striking sensation Jamal Yusupov will be entering enemy territory as he'll travel to legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand to face the country's proudest son. Muay Thai's newest prodigy, Tawanchai PK.Saenchai, will make his first featherweight Muay Thai world title defense against 'Yeniceri' at ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24.
Tawanchai's official coming-out party came when he defeated Petchmorakot Petchyindee for the belt last year. In doing so, the 23-year-old phenom became the undisputed king of ONE's 155-pound Muay Thai division.
For his first world title defense, however, Tawanchai will be tested by a streaking challenger in Yusupov, who is looking to silence the home crowd inside Lumpinee Stadium. The No.2-ranked Dagestani warrior has been perfect in his first three outings in ONE Championship and is looking better than ever.
This high-stakes world title bout, together with the rest of the ONE Fight Night 7 fight card, will air live in US primetime. It will be free for Prime Video users in the United States and Canada on February 24.