ONE Fight Night 18: Shamil Gasanov Plans To Topple Oh Ho Taek, Rematch Garry Tonon

Add as a preferred source on Google

Shamil Gasanov debuted in ONE Championship with plenty of wind under his sails. "The Cobra" amassed a perfect 13-0 record after his inaugural outing, but a loss to #1-ranked featherweight contender Garry Tonon at ONE Fight Night 12 almost had him hang up the gloves for good.

After talks with his nearest and dearest folks, though, the Russian is back in order ahead of his return against Oh Ho Taek in the main event of ONE Fight Night 18 on Saturday, 13 January, inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tonon provided the only blemish on "The Cobra's" resume, and the submission loss to the American assassin has the #4-ranked featherweight itching for a rematch. But in order to do that, he knows he must topple Oh first.

"Yes, on the way home, I thought, 'That's it; I'm not going back to fighting again!' I'd always told myself that if I lost, I would leave the sport," Gasanov admitted.

"But back home, every kid, every schoolboy on the street, came up to me and asked me when I was going to have a rematch with the American. So now, I simply must have a rematch!"

A sequel with Tonon lies heavy on Gasanov's mind, but Oh will provide plenty of challenges to overcome before he can continue with his plan to the top of the featherweight MMA division.

Oh has secured five submissions in 10 professional outings. As a fellow accoladed grappler, "The Cobra" acknowledges the South Korean's abilities, too. On top of that, Gasanov credits "Spider" for stepping up when many others opted out.

"My opponent is a true warrior! A lot of fighters rejected my challenge. Only this guy stepped up to the plate, and I'm incredibly grateful for his willingness to face me," Gasanov said.

"I anticipate a grappling-heavy encounter, as I love to grapple, and he excels at submitting his opponents. I'm confident that our clash will be the most thrilling fight of the evening."