‘A Major Step Forward’ – Magomed Akaev Plans To Stay Undefeated In ONE Debut Against Ibragim Dauev
Russian MMA standout Magomed Akaev will bring an unblemished professional record and a dangerous skill set to his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 6.
The 28-year-old will square off with compatriot Ibragim Dauev in an intriguing featherweight MMA tilt at ONE Fight Night 32: Rodrigues vs. Cohen on Prime Video, live from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
With his flawless 10-0 record and devastating knockout power, Akaev hasn’t tweaked his approach as he prepares for this critical step up to the global stage of martial arts.
He told onefc.com:
“I didn’t change anything specifically for [Dauev]. I don’t train for opponents. I just focus on reaching peak form. I don’t think he’ll surprise me, especially not in the grappling department.”
It makes sense that Akaev is continuing to train as usual. After all, he’s established himself as one of his country’s top talents and fastest-rising MMA stars.
Still, he views his ONE debut as a significant career milestone – a jump from the ultra-tough Russian regional circuit to now competing against the planet’s best MMA athletes on a massive platform.
With that in mind, he’s not about to downplay the opportunity:
“[A win] would mean a lot. It’s my first international fight, and even though we’re both from Russia, competing abroad in a top promotion like ONE is a major step forward.”
Akaev’s fighting style is based around his dynamic, wushu-sanda striking, but he’s also proven to be a crushing grappler with a nuanced understanding of submissions.
His well-rounded game, he said, will make the difference against Dauev, who impressed in his own promotional debut last year. The newcomer has carefully studied his opponent’s tendencies and is confident that he’s identified clear advantages to exploit:
“I’d say my style is versatile. I can strike, grapple, and submit. If I want to wrestle, I wrestle.
“Ibragim is more of a striker, from what I’ve seen in his fights. He tends to focus on stand-up and leaves gaps in his wrestling. I think it’s a solid matchup, but I’ve faced tougher opponents before. He gets carried away with striking and gives up positions. I’ve noticed he even gives up his back. That might be the key.”
Akaev Targets Highlight-Reel Finish, Performance Bonus
Like any athlete making his ONE debut, Magomed Akaev is determined to make a statement.
He’s not interested in playing it safe or leaving the outcome of his clash against Ibragim Dauev to the hands of the judges, well aware that unforgettable stoppages are the fast track to global superstardom:
“I always want the finish. Whether it’s a KO or a submission, that’s what stays in the record books. Fans love finishes, and they’re good for your portfolio, too.”
So far in his career, Akaev has employed his devastating arsenal of strikes – particularly his head kicks – to emerge as one of the sport’s most feared knockout artists on the rise.
If he can score another head-kick knockout at ONE Fight Night 32, he could earn one of ONE Championship’s coveted US$50,000 performance bonuses.
With that prize at the forefront of his mind, the undefeated Russian has a vision for how he’d spend the additional income:
“I already know what I’d do. I’d buy a car. US$50,000 is more than enough, and I’ve already picked the one I want.”
