Imangazaliev Destroys Nong-O In Two Rounds But Is Denied ONE World Title
Asadula Imangazaliev delivered the most devastating performance of his career at ONE Friday Fights 147 on March 20 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok and left without the belt he came to claim.
The 22-year-old Russian knockout artist stopped Muay Thai legend Nong-O Hama at 0:44 of the second round, but was denied the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship after failing his hydration test at the pre-event weigh-ins. The title remains vacant.
“The Dagestan Ninja” gave no indication of nerves from the first second. He opened proceedings with an immediate push kick to the face of the eight-time ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion — a statement of intent that made clear the occasion would not shrink him.
Nong-O, the 39-year-old Thai icon, responded with composed movement, working in and out of the pocket while landing right body kicks to build his rhythm against the unorthodox Russian. It looked, briefly, like the veteran’s experience was beginning to find purchase.
Then the second round ended before it had properly started. The two were trading on the outside when Nong-O reached for a straight right to the body. Imangazaliev read it perfectly, stepping back to create the angle, then firing a left hook to the head, right hook to the body, and left hook back to the head in a seamless three-strike combination. Nong-O was unconscious before he hit the canvas. The referee waved it off immediately.
The finish improved Imangazaliev’s record to 12-0, all 12 of those victories coming by stoppage, and cemented his status as the most dangerous man in the flyweight Muay Thai division regardless of what the title situation says.
In his post-fight interview, “The Dagestan Ninja” entertained the idea of meeting former divisional king Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the vacant strap, a fight that would set the Lumpinee roof on fire.
For now, the gold stays on the shelf. But nobody watching on Friday night has any doubt who the best flyweight Muay Thai fighter in the world is.
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