‘Do Everything I Can To Knock Him Out’ – Zebaztian Kadestam Gunning For Finish Against Isi Fitikefu At ONE Fight Night 31
Former ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam is hoping to impose his game plan and score another highlight-reel KO at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Prime Video.
On May 2 in U.S. primetime, the Swedish brawler will square off with surging Tongan-Australian standout Isi “Doxz” Fitikefu in a pivotal welterweight MMA clash at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kadestam will enter the contest riding a three-fight winning streak, well aware that a fourth straight victory could earn him another shot at 26 pounds of gold.
World Title implications aside, the 34-year-old is approaching his showdown with Fitikefu like any other fight.
He told onefc.com that it will be business as usual – he’ll look to keep the fight standing and lean into his natural instincts as a striker:
“My game plan is always the same. I’ve never wrestled, so I’m never gonna wrestle. And it’s not a secret. So it’s kind of putting focus on getting my body to do what my mind wants to do, and being sharp, and being able to let my mind decide, and my body will follow.”
Kadestam views his fight with “Doxz” as a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup. He respects his foe for his incredible physicality and ability to apply constant, suffocating pressure.
By that same token, “The Bandit” is one of the most dangerous knockout artists to ever compete in ONE, boasting a 100 percent finishing rate across seven unforgettable victories in the organization.
According to Kadestam, the stage is set for a barnburner on May 2:
“I believe he’s gonna try to put that pressure and to put that pace on the fight where he’s able to grind and able to wrestle, and that’s where I don’t want to be, right?
“I’m gonna try to take the pace down a little bit and pick him apart, and he’s gonna try to do the opposite. So, we will see. I think it’s gonna be back and forth, and I think it’s gonna be a fun fight.”
Whether it’s an all-out war that reaches the third round or a quick finish early in the fight, Kadestam’s singular goal is knocking out Fitikefu.
His strategy is straightforward – defend takedowns and swing for the fences:
“I’m gonna do everything I can to knock him out. First, second, or third round. I’m gonna try to find a finish. I don’t really have a prediction, but I will do my best to knock him out.”
Kadestam Details His Improvements During Time Away
Zebaztian Kadestam’s most recent outing saw him score a stunning knockout against highly touted Croatian superstar Roberto “Robocop” Soldic.
That fight took place nearly two years ago, causing some fans to wonder if ring rust will play a factor at ONE Fight Night 31.
“The Bandit” said that he’s spent plenty of time honing his techniques and working on the finer points of fighting. But he also admitted that he’s not sure how he’ll feel following the layoff:
“[I’ve done] a lot of technical work trying to improve everywhere, but since I haven’t been anywhere near a fight camp, I kind of focused a lot on the technical aspect. I believe I’ve improved everywhere, and we’ll see if there is any ring rust or not. It’s hard to say, right? I never had a two-year layoff.”
When he squares off with Isi Fitikefu on May 2, Kadestam expects to showcase a more refined, evolved version of himself.
In his time away, he’s been teaching mixed martial arts. He believes that’s helped him understand the game at a deeper level and, in turn, has made him into a better overall fighter:
“I feel like I have stepped up. I feel like I’m free in my striking and I can play more. I have a better understanding of the whole game and distance and everything, thanks to putting so much time on breaking down the techniques.
“I’ve been teaching a lot these past two years. And with that, I kind of dissected all the techniques for the hobbyists, or pro fighters, or amateur fighters. And it kind of makes you go through the technique on a deeper level. I believe it’s beneficial.”
