4 Bouts*** in 107 seconds, Islam Abbasov wants to finish Iranian giant

When ONE Championship: Explosive Fighters rolls into Singapore this Friday, Dec. 4, heavyweight classical wrestling world champion Amir Aliakbari will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about stars of the night. The Iranian giant comes to ONE Championship with a record of 10 wins and 1 loss, looking to dominate the Asian heavyweight scene: "I want to be the best heavyweight in the world, a fighter that no one wants to face, and when they hear my name, fear fills everyone's heart."

But his opponent, Russian mixed martial arts tour champion Islam Abbasov, is clearly not intimidated by the Iranian giant's title. Abasov plans to continue his winning streak in the tournament and take away Amir's attention. Abbasov has won all of his last six fights, all in one round, and even more amazing is that his last four fights have taken only 1 minute and 47 seconds a ****, an average of less than 30 seconds per fight.

"This fight means a lot to me because I'll be making my debut in the world's top mixed martial arts arena. First impressions are very important, so I will do my best to surprise everyone and put on a great show. My arrival will take the ONE Championship heavyweight division to the next level." Abbasov has a 28-fight winning streak in amateur boxing, which makes him the most feared striking department specialist in the heavyweight division, but he's not all about striking skills - he's equally adept in wrestling.

Facing the classical wrestling champion, Abasov, who has 20 years of wrestling experience, isn't worried. "I am not scared of his wrestling skills at all because I also wrestle. I've been wrestling since I was a kid and if he plans to wrestle me, I won't give him a chance to win. I'm a well-rounded skilled fighter who can stand and strike or tangle on the ground. I started wrestling at the age of 10 and took up boxing at the age of 14, so I don't care about my opponent's style because I can beat them no matter what. You'll confirm that with your own eyes on Dec. 4."

Abbasov, 29, will not underestimate his opponent and knows it will be a tough fight. Amir has a 192-centimeter frame, seven centimeters taller than himself, and a muscular build. This will likely be the first time in his mixed martial arts career that Abasov has been unable to finish an opponent in the first round. "Amir is very strong, he is a wrestling champion and also knows striking techniques and has few technical shortcomings. But I'm confident in my skills and I'm better than him in every way. I will try my best to take him out like I always do." Considering how lethal Abbasov's punches have been in past fights, perhaps the fight will be over in the blink of an eye, but the equally strong Amir has the ability to finish opponents, having TKO'd seven of his last 10 wins.

Abbasov: "I'm excited because this is my ONE Championship debut. I want to surprise everyone with my performance and tell the world that there is a new future king in the heavyweight division! It's definitely going to be an exciting match as the two heavyweights will deliver one of the best matches of the year. You're going to love it, I promise!"