3 Reasons Why Alaverdi Ramazanov Could Dethrone Nong-O Gaiyanghadao At ONE Friday Fights 1
Russian knockout artist Alaverdi Ramazanov is just days away from his chance to make history.
This Friday, January 20, the man known as “Babyface Killer” will challenge longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 1, the organization’s first show in the iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Faced with the opportunity to take the legendary Thai striker’s golden belt in a world-famous venue, Ramazanov is brimming with confidence.
He told ONEFC.com:
“I believe that Nong-O is my most dangerous opponent, but at the same time, I am aware that I am a more dangerous opponent for him if you compare me with his previous opponents. I’m younger than him, I’m more aggressive, and I have something he doesn’t have anymore: hunger. I’m sure that’s why I’ll win and take the title away from him.”
Considering the World Champion’s nine-fight, five-year unbeaten streak inside the Circle, it would be easy to dismiss the Russian’s confidence as naive bravado.
But make no mistake, Ramazanov is perhaps Nong-O’s most dangerous challenge yet – a former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion and a devastating striker in his own right.
Here are three reasons why the 28-year-old sensation stands a real chance to take Nong-O’s coveted belt on Friday.
#1 He’s Prepared For Nong-O Before
Ramazanov has been eyeing a showdown with the division’s unstoppable king for nearly three years.
The pair were originally set to clash in March 2020 at a ONE Championship event that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each man has since fought a number of times, but there’s no doubt “Babyface Killer” has spent the past few years envisioning himself in the Circle with Nong-O.
That delay has likely increased Ramazanov’s chances of defeating the Thai legend, as he has only improved since then, become more confident in his own skills, and has had more time to formulate a game plan for the crafty veteran.
#2 He Holds Age, Height, And Reach Advantages Over Nong-O
The Venum Training Camp representative owns several key advantages on paper.
First, he is 28 years old and just now entering his athletic prime. Nong-O, on the other hand, is 36 years old and, after well over 300 career bouts to his name, is almost certainly feeling the physical effects of his lengthy and illustrious career.
Moreover, Ramazanov’s build presents serious challenges to the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion. He is four inches taller than the titleholder and boasts a five-inch reach advantage. That said, Nong-O will have to navigate his way through the challenger’s long arms and legs before he can even think about mounting his own offense.
Importantly, the Dagestani striker uses his lengthy frame well, firing piston-like straight punches and a stabbing push kick to keep opponents at the end of his power.
#3 He’s A First-Round Knockout Threat
Ramazanov is one of the most dangerous first-round Muay Thai strikers on the ONE Championship roster.
All three of “Babyface Killer’s” KOs in the Circle have come inside three minutes, making him as entertaining a fighter as he is terrifying.
The Russian’s penchant for an aggressive start could pay massive dividends against Nong-O. Not unlike many other Thai strikers, the decorated World Champion tends to start slow, preferring to gather information on his opponent’s tendencies through the opening round.
If Nong-O is too passive in the first round, look for Ramazanov to press the action with his lightning-fast strikes as he tries to score yet another quick knockout en route to securing the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
