Aslamjon Ortikov Predicts A Knockdown And Says It Will Not Be Him At The Inner Circle 20
Aslamjon Ortikov has thought carefully about what happens when two undefeated fighters who have never tasted defeat share the same ring for the first time. His conclusion is straightforward: one of them is going down, and it will not be him.
Ortikov faces Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle 20, streaming live for members in Asia primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 26. Together they bring a combined 36-0 record and 22 finishes into a matchup that both men expect to end before the judges are needed.
“We are both still undefeated, and neither of us has been knocked down. This fight is going to be really crazy,” he said.
“One of us is going to be knocked down, and it’s not going to be me.”
Imangazaliev’s reputation precedes him at every level of the sport. Legendary commentator Joe Rogan has publicly suggested the 22-year-old Dagestani may be the best striker alive, and the resume offers compelling support.
He has knocked out both Nong-O Hama and Kongthoranee Sor Sommai, the very men fighting directly below him on Friday’s card. He was denied the vacant flyweight Muay Thai title last March only because he missed weight on the scales.
Ortikov’s response to all of that is measured and firm. He acknowledges the quality. He simply refuses to be moved by it.
“Asadula is a really good fighter. If he wasn’t good, he wouldn’t be here fighting for the title,” he said.
“He has really good skills and a different style, not the usual style. But I don’t think about the other stuff. I know why I came here. I just have to achieve my dream.”
The Uzbek believes the answers to Imangazaliev’s long-range kicking game lie in his own speed and footwork. Every opponent the Dagestani has faced has been caught at the end of those weapons. Ortikov intends to be the first one who is not.
“I believe in my skills. I know I have good speed and good footwork, and I believe I can defend against his long weapons,” he said.
“My speed and my footwork are better. I’m going to use everything in this fight. I’m going to use every weapon to win.”
The stakes need no further inflation. A win for Ortikov would make him the first Uzbek Muay Thai World Champion in ONE Championship history. He has no interest in a cautious performance to achieve it.
“He has a good winning streak. He beat Nong-O and Kongthoranee, but he never faced someone like me,” he said.
“I’m better than him because of my speed, my power, and my pressure.”
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