'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgP/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMAmio//xAAeEAABAwUBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQQSAAMFQYEGE//aAAgBAQABPwDF32TXy+TBw1+jq6aAJy1FYpw1QuJUR2SV/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECEf/aAAgBAgEBPwClh//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAEf/aAAgBAwEBPwAdv//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Elias Mahmoudi thanked ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for changing fighters' lives with performance bonuses.
Heading into ONE Fight Night 26, Mahmoudi missed weight for his Muay Thai bout against Denis Puric, who also missed weight. As a result, the action-packed matchup between flyweight contenders was changed to a catchweight.
Mahmoudi's disappointing weigh-in day made him ineligible for a $50,000 performance bonus. Following a last-second knockout, Mitch Chilson announced Mahmoudi would've received the bonus if he had been eligible.
During his post-fight in-ring interview, Mahmoudi had this to say about his impressive performance and missing out on the bonus:
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"Thank you to the big boss, you’ve changed the lives of a lot of fighters in the world because now with your bonus and with the respect you give to the fighters, many fighters can make a living out of martial arts. So thank you, Chatri, thank you big boss for this, and thank you everybody for coming to see the fight. See you all next time!"
Mahmoudi's latest knockout extended his promotional Muay Thai record to 4-1. The 26-year-old is coming off back-to-back wins after taking out Puric at ONE Fight Night 26 and Edgar Tabares (first-round knockout) in August 2023.
The full replay of ONE Fight Night 26 is available on demand for Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Watch Mahmoudi's knockout against Puric below:
Elias Mahmoudi is closing in on ONE flyweight Muay Thai title shot
Earlier this year, Rodtang Jitmuangnon was scheduled to defend his ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title against Jacob Smith. Rodtang defeated Smith by unanimous decision but had to vacate his throne due to missing weight.
Rodtang's focus heading into 2025 is a kickboxing super-fight against Japanese superstar Takeru Segawa. Therefore, flyweight Muay Thai contenders have time to showcase why they should be featured in the vacant title fight.
Elias Mahmoudi is listed as the number-five ranked flyweight Muay Thai fighter, which will change after his win against Denis Puric. Therefore, Mahmoudi could be one win away from fighting Rodtang or another top contender for gold.
Other flyweight Muay Thai contenders to keep an eye on are Kongthoranee Sor Sommai and two-sport world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9.
