Aslamjon Ortikov Credits Family Sacrifices For ONE Flyweight Title Shot

Uzbek striking sensation Aslamjon Ortikov will fight for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle 20 on June 26, streaming live on live.onefc.com. The undefeated 23-year-old faces Russian knockout artist Asadula Imangazaliev in a title fight between two unbeaten contenders.

Ortikov, who trains at TC Muaythai and Sport Club Shakhriyor, holds a perfect 24-0 striking record with 13 wins by finish. His ONE Championship record is 10-0. Imangazaliev enters with an 8-0 ONE mark and a 12-0 striking record, with nine finishes.

Family support behind Ortikov's rise

Ortikov said his family made major sacrifices to support his career. He said his brother sold his car and other possessions so he could train and chase his dream, while his parents and two brothers gave up time and money to help him continue his path in combat sports.

"My brother sold his car to send me here so I could train and achieve my dream. My parents and my two brothers did everything for me. They sacrificed their time, their money, and everything," Ortikov said. He later sent money back after earning performance bonuses.

"I understood how much my brother and my family wanted me to achieve my dream. After I got a bonus, I sent some of the money to my brother to pay him back and also to my parents," he said. A win on June 26 would make him Uzbekistan's first ONE World Champion in Muay Thai.

Ortikov said the chance to win the belt carries meaning beyond his own career. "My dream is to win the belt and become the first ONE Muay Thai World Champion from Uzbekistan. I'm going to give everything to get the belt, and I'm going to put on a really crazy fight," Ortikov said.