“Without my coach, there is no me today” - Hiroki Akimoto thanks Siyar Bahadurzada and Evolve MMA coaches for his success

Japanese kickboxing star Hiroki Akimoto has dedicated his incredible success in the ONE circle to his coach, Siyar Bahadurzada. The ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion said he could not have made it without him.

On training at Evolve MMA alongside Bahadurzada, Akimoto explained how much this situation has aided in his success. In an interview with Beyond Kick, he said:

"Without my coach, there is no me today. I couldn’t have done it without them and I’m very much grateful for everything. I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without their assistance. Even being able to have an interview like this now."

The karate-based Akimoto defeated Capitan Petchyindee at ONE X this past March to earn the bantamweight kickboxing throne. It was an electric and close fight that saw the Japanese fighter earn a hard-fought victory.

During his post-fight interview, Akimoto thanked his coach. While adorned in ONE gold, he said:

"My coach told me every day that I will be a champion. This is the day and this is the fruit of my hard work and training. I believe in myself. I believe in my coach. I believe in my teammates.”

Hiroki Akimoto will next be looking to defend his world title for the first time when he fights at ONE 163 on November 19. There, he'll face dangerous Thai fighter Petchtanong Petchfergus.

Petchtanong has held world titles all around the globe and will be a major test for the Japanese world champion.

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Hiroki Akimoto on his victory over Capitan

At ONE X, Hiroki Akimoto and Capitan put on one of the most exciting fights in the history of kickboxing. Thailand's Capitan had an edge in experience, having won over 140 bouts, as well as winning and defending his world title in ONE Championship.

Akimoto was forced to dig deep and keep the pressure on his opponent to capture the world championship. On the win over Capitan, the Japanese 30-year-old told Beyond Kick:

"Capitan was very tough."

In his ONE X post-fight interview, he commented:

"He was so strong. He was so tough. By the third round, I felt like, ‘Can I go on?’ But now, here I am, I got the belt!"

After a Fight of the Year contender to win his place on the ONE throne, Akimoto will look to add a defense to his impressive record on November 19, headlining ONE 163 in a high-stakes kickboxing showdown.