‘I Truly Deserve It’ – Unbeaten Ubaid Hussain Looks Back On His Rise In ONE Championship
Undefeated British-Pakistani phenom Ubaid “Bad” Hussain has adapted to life on the grandest stage of combat sports as though he had been competing under those lights his entire career.
He will look to keep that momentum going when he returns against Isannuea Sor Sasiwat in a flyweight Muay Thai matchup at The Inner Circle 28. The highly anticipated bout streams live in Asia primetime this Friday, August 28, from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, exclusively for subscribers at live.onefc.com.
An eighth straight promotional victory would push the 20-year-old standout closer to a life-changing US$100,000 contract. First, here is a look back at how he built his pristine 16-0 professional record inside ONE Championship.
Early Days In ONE Championship
After dominating the British Muay Thai circuit, the teenager arrived in the Thai capital for his ONE debut against Petsinchai Kingballroofphuket, who already carried 35 career wins into the ring.
Hussain settled in quickly, cornering the Thai and unloading a masterful sequence of punches and knees that earned him a first-round knockout in December 2024.
That night carried weight beyond the record book for the youngster, who had spent years chasing this exact moment out of Kiatphontip in Leeds:
“I was quite excited. When I’m walking out, you always see me smiling, but I was under pressure. Even when I’m nervous, I always smile. It’s a normal thing for me. But I was quite happy to finally be able to be there because I’ve always fought in the UK.
“And to wrap up the debut with the finish…it was quite remarkable. I was jumping up and down, and I even got the bonus. Seeing the fans happy made me quite happy with myself.”
Returning to the mecca of Muay Thai four months later, “Bad” faced fellow undefeated striker Khusen “Lee” Salomov at ONE Friday Fights 105, this time while battling an illness that disrupted the final stretch of camp.
Hussain pressured Salomov from the opening bell with steady clinches, hooks, and elbows, shifting downstairs in round two to wear him down. Salomov rallied late, but Hussain safely tipped the scales to win by unanimous decision.
He shared:
“Training camp was just the same as usual for this fight. But this guy was undefeated, so I obviously had to be just extra careful. However, I trusted the game plan and stuck to it, although I didn’t feel at my best because I was ill and stuff.
“Still, I was extremely happy that I got the job done. Winning when you’re not at 100 percent feels good.”
Petnakian Wars And Going A Perfect 5-0 In ONE
Momentum carried Hussain into a defining rivalry: a two-fight series against Petnakian Sor Nakian. The Thai entered their first meeting unbeaten in the organization, but the British-Pakistani warrior ended that run at ONE Friday Fights 115 before the two ran it back in an equally compelling three-round rematch at ONE Friday Fights 121 in the third quarter of 2025.
Hussain navigated past Petnakian’s knockout power with poise beyond his years to secure a unanimous decision in their first encounter. Slightly over a month later, “Bad” got his hand raised against the 31-year-old again.
Rematches carry a strange duality. The blueprint from the first fight offers a roadmap, but the opponent studies that same film. Hussain approached the sequel fully aware of that reality.
He recalled:
“The first fight was quite crazy. It was a proper three-round war. I was happy with the win, and I knew exactly what my flaws were going into that second fight. Leading up to the rematch, I saw that he’d been training for the rematch – I think – with Superlek.
“And when I got in the ring, he looked more determined. He looked physically bigger. But I decided to change my plan a bit, not just trade with him, but to pick my shots and use my footwork. And I won the rematch more easily.”
Hussain then opened his 2026 campaign against Brazil Aekmuangnon at ONE Friday Fights 138 this past January. The Thai gave him a stern test, even climbing back up after being dropped, but Hussain’s volume and precision secured a clear-cut decision.
The triumph left the Kiatphontip representative with mixed feelings — never in doubt, but with plenty to reflect on afterward.
He told onefc.com:
“This was another tough fight. But it just went the way I had wanted it to be. Of course, not getting the knockout was kinda disappointing, but, you know, props to him. He got back up after the knockdown and pushed through.
“Still, you know, maintaining the winning streak was important. Sometimes, the knockouts just don’t happen no matter how hard you try.”
Surviving Panpadej, Adding A KO To The Resume
His toughest test yet arrived when he headlined a card for the first time at ONE Friday Fights 151 in April. Standing in his way was Panpadej Looksuan, who was on a perfect 5-0 promotional run that included a decision win over Isannuea — the man Hussain now faces at The Inner Circle 28.
The fight lived up to the billing. Panpadej pushed the English-based fighter through the toughest three rounds of his career. At one juncture, Hussain felt he was trailing on the judges’ scorecards. Still, “Bad” pulled away late, bravely grinding out a gritty decision to keep his record intact.
It remains, by his own admission, the toughest test of his career:
“I knew I was behind on the scorecards. He had some kinda strength in him. I tried to knock him out in the third round, but he just continuously got back up. However, he just kept running around until the fight ended, and that made it hard for me to finish the fight.”
After a series of big wins, “Bad” was still hungry. While he was collecting victories on his resume, Hussain had yet to secure a finish since his debut in December 2024 — something he felt he needed to change.
The knockout finally came at ONE Friday Fights 160 against Sanpet Sor Salacheep. Hussain dropped his opponent three times inside the opening round to secure a TKO at 2:31.
The concussive finish meant plenty personally and closed a stretch of decision wins. With Isannuea and The Inner Circle 28 on the horizon, he has made clear how much that knockout still fuels him.
Hussain concluded:
“Getting the finish in one round was such a huge relief. You know, I had been waiting for that for quite a bit. So, it was sweet.
“Now, I’m hoping I can get another one here and prove that I’m ready for tougher fights and opponents. I’m not rushing for the contract. I’m happy to continue proving that I truly deserve it.”
