ONE Fight Night 7: Martin Nguyen Aims For Top Against Last-Minute Replacement Razhab Shaydullaev

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Bangkok, February 22: Martin Nguyen has already etched his name into ONE Championship's history books, but the former two-division ONE World Champion has hopes of reclaiming past glory.

The Vietnamese-Australian athlete will embark on his bid back into the title fold this Saturday, 25 February at ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker vs. Andrade II, where he was initially set to meet Shamil Gasanov in a featherweight firefight.

Ever-prevalent in the mixed martial arts world, health issues forced his Russian counterpart to the sidelines. Nguyen had high hopes of making a statement against Gasanov, but while his opponent has changed, the ramifications are not all that different.

On less than a week's notice, Nguyen will welcome a dynamic newcomer to The Home of Martial Arts in Kyrgyzstan's Razhab Shaydullaev.

While the previous arrangement between Nguyen and Gasanov was looking to be a battle between the division's veteran and hot prospect, the offering that Shaydullaev brings to the table is enough to fill the shoes of the sambo scrapper.

At only 22 years old, the Kyrguz standout has amassed an unblemished record of 8-0 in his professional career. He's finished all bouts inside the distance, with half of his wins coming by knockout and the other by submission, making for a well-versed competitor inside the Circle.

The year behind us was a big one for the undefeated prospect, as he made his mark with a three-fight winning streak in Russia's respective ranks, and he will be hoping to make a statement against the biggest name of his career in Nguyen this Saturday.

For "The Situ-Asian," though, should he be able to successfully topple a new foe on such short notice, not only will the result catapult him back into championship conversations, but it will reignite the flame that Nguyen has sought for some time.

Father time seldom loses, but if Nguyen can stop a 22-year-old train in its tracks, the year ahead could see him reap the rewards.

Source: Media Release