‘The Most Important Decision Of My Life’ – How Asadula Imangazaliev’s Relentless Dedication Forged His Path To World Title Glory
Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy — Asadula Imangazaliev has understood this from the beginning.
The undefeated Russian standout has spent years making sacrifices that would break most fighters, and now everything has led him to the biggest moment of his professional career.
At ONE Friday Fights 147 on March 20, live in Asia primetime, Imangazaliev will face former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. The explosive five-round showdown takes place inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Imangazaliev earned his shot at 26 pounds of gold with a second-round destruction of Kongthoranee Sor Sommai at ONE Fight Night 39 this past January, extending his pristine record to 11-0.
But long before emerging as one of the sport’s most exciting stars, his road was paved with challenges that shaped him into the fighter he is today.
From Father’s Dream To Son’s Reality
Asadula Imangazaliev’s journey began in Dagestan, the combat sports hotbed that has produced some of the world’s most dominant fighters.
He grew up in Buynaksk with two brothers in a household where martial arts wasn’t just encouraged — it was a way of life. While the region is renowned for its grappling and wrestling traditions, his father introduced him to Muay Thai at the age of 10.
The family’s patriarch saw in his sons the opportunity to fulfill dreams he could never chase himself. For young Imangazaliev, the path felt natural rather than forced.
Reflecting on how it all began, the 22-year-old shared:
“From a very young age, I was passionate about sports, and my family has always fully supported me.
“When my father was younger, he was actively involved in sports and dreamed of achieving high-level success, but for various reasons, it didn’t work out. Because of that, he always hoped that one of his sons would continue that path.”
While all three brothers trained, the middle child showed the most promise. His father pushed him to maximize it, balancing demanding expectations with unwavering support.
Under that guidance, Imangazaliev flourished and devoted his life entirely to martial arts.
The Team Mehdi Zatout representative said:
“My father played a huge role in this journey. He supported me emotionally and financially and came every day to another city to bring me back home. This stage of my life shaped me into the athlete I am today.”
As Imangazaliev’s skills rapidly improved, he realized he needed a different environment to continue his development. With his parents’ blessing, he moved to Dagestan’s capital, where greater opportunities awaited.
That decision paid immediate dividends as he dominated the amateur circuit, building the foundation for what would become a flawless professional career.
He shared:
“Until the age of 16, I trained in my hometown, then I moved to Makhachkala to train at a higher level and focus seriously on my development as a professional athlete. Since making that move, I have not lost a single fight, and it became one of the most important decisions of my life.”
The Daily Grind That Forged A Warrior
While Muay Thai consumed most of his energy and ambition, Asadula Imangazaliev refused to abandon his education.
His fighting career remained the priority, but he still pursued law studies to sharpen his mind, even though his future belonged in the ring, not a courtroom.
That choice demanded sacrifice — a four-hour round trip to training sessions outside his hometown, while maintaining his academic responsibilities.
He recalled:
“At the same time, I was studying in college. My classes started at 8:30 in the morning and finished at 2:30 p.m. After school, I went straight home, ate, took care of my responsibilities, and then traveled every day to train. The distance one way was about 60 kilometers.”
Despite juggling both commitments, the Dagestani excelled in each arena. His skills sharpened rapidly, and he made his professional debut shortly after turning 18.
That dedication led him to Thailand, where he tested himself against elite competition. His performances caught the attention of the world’s largest martial arts organization, earning him a life-changing six-figure contract through the ONE’s Friday Fights circuit.
Now, he stands one victory away from becoming a World Champion — a milestone that wouldn’t be possible without the experiences that forged his unbreakable resolve.
The Russian striker said:
“It was an extremely demanding schedule, both physically and mentally. However, that period built my character, taught me discipline, and showed me how badly I wanted to succeed in this sport.”
Dagestan Remains His Sanctuary
Amid the relentless grind, Asadula Imangazaliev knows the importance of stepping away — not just for his body, but his mind and spirit.
He makes it a priority to return home and reconnect with the activities he cherished in his youth, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the mountains. Those moments away from competition provide the balance that sustains everything else.
The ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title challenger said:
“In my free time, I enjoy horse riding, spending several days in the mountains, and simply being with my family. These activities help me reset, recover, and maintain inner balance.”
Those respites recharge him, but the work ethic forged in his youth never rests. It created the fighter that fans see today — a rangy, unorthodox striker who consistently delivers highlight-reel knockouts.
While his weapons are sharpened at Team Mehdi Zatout in Pattaya, Dagestan remains his foundation. The mountains provide clarity before every battle.
On March 20, Imangazaliev will face the biggest test of his life against living legend Nong-O Hama. He knows that in order to achieve something extraordinary, it will require preparation beyond the norm.
With World Championship gold finally within reach, the undefeated Russian is relying on methods that extend far beyond traditional training:
“When I am at home, I train in taekwondo and grappling. These disciplines help me develop my technique, coordination, and grappling skills. However, I do not compete specifically in these sports — I use them as part of my overall training and development as a martial artist.”
