ONE Championship

Six fights into his ONE career, a Brazilian lightweight has yet to taste defeat. His seventh comes against the man who has already shared the ring twice with the division’s titleholder.

Lucas Gabriel meets former ONE World Title challenger Alibeg Rasulov in the lightweight MMA main event of ONE Fight Night 49 on Prime Video on Friday, November 6. The card broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 26-year-old Phuket Fight Club representative is 11-1 (1 NC) and has gone unbeaten in six outings since arriving in ONE in May 2023, a stretch built on relentless forward pressure, dangerous submission craft, and immense power. Three of those wins came on the ONE Friday Fights circuit before his move to the main roster.

His standout results include a slick submission of Gadzhimurad “Tought” Amirzhanov and a statement win over former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Ok Rae Yoon at ONE Fight Night 44 in June. Composure is a big part of his danger, as he rarely rushes his offense even when the moment calls for urgency.

A victory over Rasulov could vault the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt into the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship picture. It would also keep his perfect promotional record intact against his most experienced opponent yet.

Lucas Gabriel faces a hardened wrestler in Rasulov

Rasulov, 33, entered ONE undefeated and outworked Ok in his July 2024 debut to earn a shot at two-division ONE World Champion Christian Lee. Their first title fight ended in a no contest after an accidental eye poke, and Lee won the rematch at ONE 173 to hand the Turk his first career loss.

With Lee defending against Tye Ruotolo at The Inner Circle 37 hours earlier, a Rasulov victory could set up a trilogy. Gabriel’s submission craft against Rasulov’s takedowns and raw strength makes this a contest that could swing wherever it goes.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM