3 Uzbek Fighters Taking ONE Championship By Storm
Uzbekistan has emerged as one of combat sports’ most exciting martial arts hotbeds. The Central Asian nation has produced world-class athletes across multiple disciplines for decades, from striking to wrestling to MMA. Now, a new generation of Uzbek fighters is making waves in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
What makes the current wave of Uzbek talent even more remarkable is the speed at which they’ve risen through the ranks.
Many came through the weekly ONE Friday Fights series, where the organization develops its young talent, and parlayed impressive performances into lucrative six-figure main roster contracts in record time. Some have already reached the pinnacle, while others are knocking on the door of World Championship gold.
The story of Uzbek fighters in ONE Championship is one of relentless ambition, high-level training, and uncompromising dedication to excellence. These athletes represent their nation with pride and are establishing Uzbekistan as a major force that opponents cannot ignore.
Three fighters in particular embody this explosive rise and have cemented themselves as the flag-bearers of Uzbekistan’s martial arts revolution.
#1 Avazbek Kholmirzaev
History was written when Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev dethroned Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April, becoming Uzbekistan’s first-ever ONE World Champion. The 25-year-old’s second-round knockout didn’t just win him the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title, it announced his country’s arrival as a major player in mixed martial arts.
When Kholmirzaev returned home to Uzbekistan after his historic victory, he received a hero’s welcome that reflected the magnitude of his achievement. For a nation with a rich combat sports tradition, seeing one of their own crowned a ONE World Champion represented a watershed moment.
The journey to the top has been remarkably swift. Training out of Team Raqobat, Kholmirzaev started his promotional run at ONE Friday Fights, where he won seven matches in eight outings. Those dominant performances earned him a life-changing six-figure main roster contract in 2025. In less than a year, the explosive and all-round fighter went from surging star to undisputed divisional champion.
His overall record stands at an impressive 16-2, but his ONE statistics are even more eye-catching: 10-1 with nine finishes. Currently riding a seven-fight winning streak, Kholmirzaev is preparing for his first World Title defense.
#2 Aslamjon Ortikov
While Kholmirzaev has already captured gold, Aslamjon Ortikov sits just one fight away from making history of his own. The undefeated 23-year-old Muay Thai striker will challenge for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship at The Inner Circle 20 on June 26 against fellow undefeated fighter Asadula Imangazaliev.
Ortikov’s credentials are undeniable. His professional record stands at a perfect 24-0 with an impressive 13 finishes, proving he’s not content to win decisions. In ONE, he’s maintained that perfection with a 10-0 record and five stoppage victories.
The 23-year-old earned his opportunity through epic performances at ONE Friday Fights, which resulted in a US$100,000 main roster contract. Since joining the global stage, Ortikov has defeated some of the world’s biggest Muay Thai stars, earning him respect in a sport that values tradition and proven skill.
If Ortikov defeats Imangazaliev at The Inner Circle 20, he will become Uzbekistan’s first-ever ONE Muay Thai World Champion, further cementing his nation’s dominance across ONE’s multiple disciplines. Training at TC Muaythai and Sport Club Shakhriyor, he has the tools, the record, and the momentum to bring that title home.
#3 Sanzhar Zakirov
While Kholmirzaev has already claimed championship gold and Ortikov prepares for his own shot at the coveted belt, Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov represents the next wave of Uzbek talent. The 23-year-old remains undefeated with a perfect 16-0 mixed martial arts record and an unblemished 7-0 mark in ONE.
Zakirov, who trains at Khaturaev Team, also came through the ONE Friday Fights pipeline and earned his US$100,000 contract after impressing in the weekly series. His undefeated record in the promotion suggests there’s plenty more success ahead for the young Uzbek sensation.
At just 23 years old, Zakirov has already established himself among the division’s finest. As he continues to climb the ranks, the “Tornado” has all the potential to follow in Kholmirzaev’s footsteps and eventually compete for championship gold.
For now, he remains focused on extending his winning streak when he faces Russia’s Ruslan Satiev at ONE Fight Night 45 on Prime Video on July 17.
