Rambolek Vs. Abdulla Dayakaev: 4 Keys To Victory In Bantamweight Muay Thai Main Event At ONE Fight Night 39
The main event of ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek vs. Dayakaev on Prime Video will finally deliver one of the most anticipated clashes in the bantamweight Muay Thai division, as technical Thai striker Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon collides with Dagestani knockout artist Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev.
This Friday, January 23, in U.S. primetime, two of the division’s most in-form fighters will square off in a rescheduled battle at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The winner could emerge as the next challenger for ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane — an interesting twist considering Dayakaev trains alongside the titleholder at Team Mehdi Zatout.
Rambolek enters the contest riding a four-fight winning streak and was the first athlete to earn a six-figure contract from ONE Friday Fights. Dayakaev brings his own four-fight winning streak into the contest, with all four victories coming by first-round stoppage. He also recorded the fastest knockout in ONE Muay Thai history in just 24 seconds.
That said, these are each fighter’s biggest keys to victory at ONE Fight Night 39.
#1 Rambolek’s Right Body Kick
Rambolek must establish his signature weapon early to control the fight and neutralize Dayakaev’s aggressive approach.
The Thai technician’s right body kick is fast, powerful, and capable of causing tremendous damage over the course of three rounds. The southpaw can land this strike from mid-range or as a counter when opponents step forward, then slide back to avoid return fire.
Against Parham Gheirati, this kick marked up the Iranian’s left side so severely that it limited his offensive output and created openings for Rambolek’s finishing combinations. The technique becomes even more effective when Rambolek lands and immediately moves off at an angle, preventing counter opportunities.
This weapon also sets up everything else in Rambolek’s arsenal. Once opponents begin respecting the body kick and raising their guard or stepping back to avoid it, he can use that reaction to land his left body kick on the counter or fire his powerful right hand.
The accumulated damage from consistent body kicks forces opponents to protect their midsection, which opens up head shots and creates finishing opportunities.
Against an aggressive fighter like Dayakaev who marches forward looking to land heavy hands, the body kick becomes a critical range-finding tool that can keep the Russian at bay.
#2 Dayakaev’s Aggressive Forward Pressure
Dayakaev must impose his will by marching forward and forcing Rambolek into uncomfortable exchanges.
The Dagestani destroyer thrives when he can inch forward relentlessly, back opponents against the ropes, and unload his heavy hands. His aggressive muay boo style has proven devastatingly effective in small gloves, as evidenced by his four consecutive first-round knockouts.
The Russian’s ability to walk through strikes while applying constant forward pressure drains opponents’ energy and forces them into defensive mode, where they become vulnerable to his finishing combinations. When he can trap opponents on the ropes, his powerful right cross and left hook become nearly impossible to avoid.
This relentless approach also plays into Dayakaev’s counter game. When opponents try to hold ground and trade with him, he can time their strikes with his pull-counter right cross, which has finished multiple opponents.
His pressure will force Rambolek to make difficult decisions about whether to stand and exchange or move backward, and movement backward against the ropes severely limits the Thai striker’s ability to land his signature kicks with power.
The only time Dayakaev has struggled in ONE was when Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri kept him on the back foot and controlled range, so imposing forward pressure becomes essential to his success.
#3 Rambolek’s Center Ring Control
The Thai phenom must dominate center ring and force Dayakaev backward to unlock his most effective offense.
Rambolek needs to establish himself as the aggressor who dictates where the fight takes place. When he can control center ring and make opponents retreat, his right body kick lands with maximum power and his teeps keep dangerous boxers at the end of his strikes.
Against Dmitrii Kovtun, Rambolek struggled early when fighting off the back foot, but once he began pushing forward in round two and forcing the Russian backward, his strikes landed with authority and he secured the knockout. The same pattern must emerge here.
Forcing Dayakaev to fight moving backward neutralizes much of the Russian’s power. His devastating finishing combinations require him to be planted and driving forward, not retreating and defending.
If Rambolek can step in with low kicks as Dayakaev backs up, or land his left body kick on the counter as the Russian tries to close distance, it disrupts the aggressive rhythm that has made Dayakaev so dangerous.
The key is staying just outside boxing range while remaining the one moving forward, which will allow Rambolek to pick his moments to land kicks without getting caught in extended hand-fighting exchanges.
#4 Dayakaev’s Right Cross Counters
The Russian knockout artist must time Rambolek’s kicking attacks with his most dangerous punch to turn defense into offense.
Dayakaev’s right cross is his money punch, and his ability to catch kicks and counter with it down the middle has proven lethal throughout his career. When opponents commit to body kicks or low kicks, they momentarily plant their weight and become vulnerable to the straight punch.
The Russian has finished multiple opponents with this technique, including his body punch knockout of Alessio Malatesta. His timing and accuracy with the right hand mean that even a single clean connection can change the fight’s trajectory or end it entirely.
This counter also sets up his finishing combinations. Once the right cross lands and hurts opponents, Dayakaev follows with his left hook or uppercut to initiate long sequences of unanswered strikes.
Against Saemapetch Fairtex, a single right hand counter created the opening for the knees and punches that forced the stoppage. The cross also works as a pull-counter when Rambolek throws punches, allowing Dayakaev to lean back and fire through the gap.
If he can catch Rambolek loading up on his kicks or punches, that right hand becomes the equalizer that can overcome the Thai striker’s technical advantages and deliver yet another first-round finish.
