ONE Championship

Perfect records rarely survive first World Title tests. Friday night gives one unbeaten challenger his chance to prove he’s the exception.

Elbek Alyshov challenges ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu for the title at The Inner Circle 24 on Friday, July 31. The card streams live for members from Bangkok’s historic Lumpinee Stadium.

The Azerbaijani-Russian carries a flawless 10-0 record into the biggest fight of his career. He submitted Jeremy Pacatiw and Carlo Bumina-ang in succession to force his way into title contention. His suffocating grappling has left little room for opponents to survive deep into a fight.

Baatarkhuu built his own case for gold with a Road to ONE: Mongolia title, a breakout run on Netflix’s Physical: Asia, and a submission finish of Fabricio Andrade last December. That made him just the second Mongolian to win ONE World Title gold.

“I believe that my wrestling is the best in MMA — not only in ONE Championship, but across all organizations,” Alyshov said.

“I know every movement, I think several steps ahead, and I am very cunning. I also feel that I am well-rounded, and when it comes to wrestling in MMA, there is no one else like me.”

Elbek Alyshov compares his resume directly to the champion

Elbek Alyshov does not shy away from measuring his own résumé against the man holding the belt. He believes his more careful, calculated approach gives him an edge over a champion who has taken damage on the way to gold.

That comparison extends to how each man absorbs punishment on the way to victory.

“I am more versatile in grappling and stronger when it comes to chokes. I also believe my hands are sharper and I do not absorb as many strikes as he does,” Alyshov said.

“He has been through some very tough battles, but he has been knocked down several times. He goes all-in, while I try not to take unnecessary risks.”

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM