Martin Nguyen Calls Out Shamil Gasanov and Garry Tonon Following ONE Fight Night 7 Victory

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Bangkok, February 28: Despite a chaotic fight week that saw Martin Nguyen matched with three different opponents, the Vietnamese-Australian managed to return to winning ways.

"The Situ-Asian" defeated late replacement Leonardo Casotti in their featherweight MMA bout by unanimous decision last Saturday, 25 February, at ONE Fight Night 7 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The former two-division ONE World Champion had a plethora of names sent his way following the withdrawal of Shamil Gasanov, including new undefeated arrival Razhab Shaydullaev. Having left victorious on just two days notice, Nguyen was happy to get back in the win column.

"I want to try to finish my opponents as much as possible and finish fights in general, but I had a tough opponent. I had to ride it out and figure out his weaknesses as I [went], because we only had two days to prep for him. Those two days [were] mainly weight-cutting days," Nguyen said.

What was most impressive about Nguyen's performance was that he had little-to-no time to prepare for Casotti.

The Brazilian was riding an extensive streak of victories into the contest, but Nguyen relied on good friend and fellow former two-division ONE World Champion Aung La N Sang's wisdom to get the job done.

"I know that he was on a nine-fight winning streak. Aung La was the one that went through his records and watched a couple of his fights. I was just worried about cutting the last pound," Nguyen said.

"In my head, I was just making sure that I turned up mentally. I've said it all week. I've just got to make sure I turn up because when I do, man, everyone's in trouble."

Having gotten 2023 successfully underway, Nguyen does have his eyes on regaining the ONE Featherweight World Championship. Despite being back in the win column, the #4-ranked contender feels he has more work to do before World Title ramifications are in sight, with two names in particular that he wants to prove himself against.

"I think I need one more. One more would solidify my title shot against [ONE Featherweight World Champion] Tang Kai," Nguyen said.

"I want Shamil Gasanov and maybe Garry Tonon. They're my potential next opponents."

Source: Media Release