5 Facts About Lightweight MMA Phenom Maurice Abevi Before His Debut At ONE Fight Night 9
Swiss rising star Maurice Abevi is one of the most exciting recent additions to ONE’s talent-rich lightweight MMA division.
On April 21 at ONE Fight Night 9: Nong-O vs. Haggerty on Prime Video, the surging athlete will make his promotional debut in the biggest bout of his life against #4-ranked contender Halil Amir.
With a victory at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Abevi could announce himself as a dangerous opponent for any contender – and a legitimate World Title threat.
Naturally, fans are dying to know more about this intriguing talent. Here are five fast facts about the talented 23-year-old ahead of his ONE debut.
#1 He’s Undefeated As A Professional
Abevi will bring a pristine professional MMA slate to Lumpinee Stadium, sporting six wins in as many outings.
And rather than pad his record against lesser competition, he boasts three victories over opponents who were – at the time – undefeated themselves.
#2 He’s Finished Every Opponent
More than just a perfect record, the Swiss competitor owns a 100 percent finishing rate, earning four first-round stoppages and a pair of second-round finishes.
Additionally, Abevi has finished half of his fights by submission and half by knockout, showcasing impressive versatility.
Those metrics caught the eyes of ONE officials, who were no doubt happy to sign such an entertaining athlete to the world’s largest martial arts organization.
#3 He Trains With World Champions At Tiger Muay Thai
Bolstering his pedigree, Abevi hones his craft alongside some of the planet’s biggest combat sports superstars at the world-renowned Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand.
The famous gym is home to a number of ONE athletes, including ONE Bantamweight World Champion Fabricio Andrade, former flyweight titleholder Kairat Akhmetov, and top-five bantamweight kickboxer Felipe Lobo, among others.
#4 He Cut His Teeth In The Burgeoning German MMA Scene
Although he hails from Switzerland, Abevi earned his reputation as one of MMA’s fastest-rising stars on the ever-growing German mixed martial arts circuit.
In 2021, he fought five times in Germany against progressively more difficult competition, garnering the attention of pundits and fans alike as he tore a path through the regional scene.
#5 He Gave Up A Career In Carpentry To Chase His Dream
The Tiger Muay Thai representative’s journey to ONE Championship hasn’t been without risk or sacrifice.
Early in his MMA career, Abevi worked a number of other jobs to fund his training costs. At one point, the young Swiss had secured a carpentry apprenticeship, and therefore, a chance at steady employment.
But the lightweight dreamed of bigger things, and he ultimately left carpentry to pursue the life of a full-time professional fighter – eventually leading him to the global stage of ONE Championship.
