ONE Championship

A year on the sidelines has not cooled one Iranian slugger’s ambitions. Fully healed after surgery, he returns this week with 26 pounds of gold still firmly in his sights.

Parham Gheirati faces Nakrob Fairtex in a bantamweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 48 on Prime Video on Friday, October 2. The card streams live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 22-year-old found his footing at Petchsaman Gym in Pattaya after a rough start in Thailand. He then knocked out Samingnum M Ekachart in his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 40 in November 2023.

The following year brought a five-fight winning streak, capped by a third-round knockout of George Mouzakitis at ONE Friday Fights 84. That result secured the US$100,000 main roster contract he had long chased.

“The first fight in ONE Championship really changed my life. At that time, I had so many problems here, and I needed to pay for so many things. It was a difficult time. But I accepted the fight, and after that, everything was very good,” Gheirati said.

“Winning the contract later, it was like the most happiness I’ve ever felt in my life. I dreamed of having this contract and fighting on the biggest stage. It was the best feeling.”

Parham Gheirati eyes fresh start after injury layoff

His main roster debut ended in a loss to Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon, snapping his winning run, before he rebounded with a second-round finish of Tyson “John Wayne Noi” Harrison at ONE Friday Fights 127. An injury suffered before that fight required surgery, and he has been sidelined since October 2025.

Gheirati now meets Nakrob fully healed and eager to resume his climb.

“It’s been some tough period for me over the last two fights. I lost to Rambolek, and there were some issues with myself before the fight. I also had an injury before facing Tyson, and after that fight I knew I had to take some time off,” Gheirati said.

“It was tough. But I made sure I was back to full fitness before this fight. So, my body is now feeling very good.”

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM