Akif Guluzada Bets On Weight Class Change To Topple Ferrari Fairtex
Akif “King” Guluzada traced his first ONE Championship loss back to a single cause, and he has spent his camp making sure it never becomes a problem again.
The 21-year-old Azerbaijani headlines The Inner Circle 29 against Ferrari Fairtex in a bantamweight kickboxing clash this Friday, September 4, streaming live exclusively for subscribers from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Guluzada’s five-fight promotional run, which included knockouts of Puengluang Baanramba and Samingdam Looksuan, came to an end against Johan Estupinan at ONE Fight Night 44. Making his second career main event appearance, he has since pinpointed exactly what went wrong.
“In my last fight, I think I just lost too much weight. It was a problem for that fight. In fact, I did not have power. I couldn’t perform, just nothing,” he said. “Now I’m performing much better at bantamweight. I will show that in this fight. I will show everyone who the real Akif is.”
That confidence extends fully to how he sees the stylistic matchup playing out against Ferrari, a veteran of more than a hundred professional bouts.
“I am a good fighter, and I think he’s just a normal Thai fighter. He has good kicks, just his kicks,” Guluzada said. “Also, I am a kickboxing fighter, while Ferrari is a Muay Thai fighter.”
Asked directly where he expects the fight to be won, Guluzada did not hesitate to lay out his blueprint for a 21st career victory.
“I think I’ll have the advantage with my fight IQ and speed. Also, kickboxing is my style. I’m ready,” he said.
He closed with a pointed message aimed squarely at his opponent’s ring name, making clear he does not believe Ferrari has earned the right to it just yet.
“Good luck to you, Ferrari. See you soon. Hope you are ready for a kickboxing fight with me. Maybe after this fight you can change your nickname to Toyota or Lamborghini.”
Ferrari brings a wealth of Muay Thai experience and a reputation built against some of the toughest names on the global stage, but none of that history has done anything to shake Guluzada’s confidence heading into Friday night.
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