5 Reasons Why Sanzhar Zakirov Could Be A Future MMA Superstar
Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov is taking the world’s largest martial arts organization by storm.
This Friday, April 4, in U.S. primetime, the Uzbekistani phenom will hunt for his sixth consecutive win in ONE Championship when he squares off against South African powerhouse Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane in an intriguing flyweight MMA scrap at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles on Prime Video.
That contest will go down at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, and it will be a chance for Zakirov to further cement himself as one of the most promising MMA talents on the global stage.
Before he locks horns with Masunyane, we dive into five reasons why “Tornado” has all the makings of a future superstar.
#1 His Unblemished Professional Record
Zakirov is a winner through and through, never once tasting defeat across 14 professional fights to date.
He arrived in ONE with a pristine 5-0 record and loads of well-deserved hype. Since then, the Khaturaev Team product has looked nothing short of spectacular, as he’s racked up nine more impressive wins both inside and outside of the organization.
#2 He’s A ONE Friday Fights Contract Winner
Notably, Zakirov fought his way to a coveted spot on ONE’s global roster.
His first three appearances in the organization took place at the ONE Friday Fights weekly series, where he scored a pair of highlight-reel knockouts and a lopsided decision victory to earn his place on the global roster with a life-changing contract.
#3 He’s A Prolific Finisher
“Tornado” isn’t just eeking out narrow wins or coasting to easy victories. Quite the opposite – he’s a devastating and well-rounded finisher with a preternatural knack for finding the submission or knockout.
All but a handful of his career victories have come by way of stoppage, and his three knockouts in ONE serve as examples of his show-stopping power.
#4 He’s Still Young
Even though he’s already a top-five ranked strawweight who has erased any doubts that he belongs among the very best MMA fighters on the planet, Zakirov is still just 21 years old and showing massive improvements from fight to fight.
The youngster has many years of high-level competition remaining in his career, giving him plenty of time to bolster his highlight reel, garner legions of fans, and solidify himself as a legitimate superstar.
#5 He’s A Threat Across Multiple Weight Classes
As a testament to his immense talent, Zakirov has proven he can find success across multiple weight classes.
His four ONE wins at strawweight have earned him the #5 spot in the divisional rankings, while his last fight – a spectacular second-round TKO of Eko Roni Saputra – took place at 140 pounds against one of the flyweight division’s most established veterans.
