‘Going To Be A Thrilling Fight’ – Vladimir Kuzmin Promises Relentless Action Against Stefan Korodi
Russian striker Vladimir Kuzmin believes fans are in for a treat when he squares off against the hard-hitting Stefan Korodi at ONE Fight Night 33: Rodrigues vs. Persson on Prime Video.
That highly anticipated bantamweight Muay Thai clash will air live in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 11, from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
After suffering a decision loss to Thai star Suablack Tor Pran49 in his most recent outing, the 27-year-old Kuzmin is hungry to bounce back and reignite his World Title aspirations.
Standing across from him will be the Romanian-born, Ireland-based Korodi, who will bring his aggressive, pressure-heavy style into Muay Thai’s most sacred venue. The Dublin Combat Academy product has shown flashes of brilliance during his ONE tenure and will be eager to make a statement against a top-tier opponent.
Kuzmin recently spoke to onefc.com about his training camp for this pivotal showdown:
“My preparation hasn’t changed much. Everything goes according to plan. The only difference is that I arrived in Thailand earlier this time to adapt to the climate. The adaptation is going well. We’re training, adjusting.”
The Fight Club Archangel Michael representative’s meticulous approach reflects his thoroughly professional mindset.
Having competed under ONE’s bright lights multiple times, Kuzmin understands the importance of every detail when it comes to peak performance, and his early arrival in Thailand demonstrates his commitment to leaving no stone unturned.
When it comes to dealing with Korodi’s notorious forward-marching fighting style, Kuzmin remains unfazed. The experienced campaigner has faced all types of opponents throughout his career and thinks his own versatility will be a key to success:
“I don’t get flustered when someone pressures me. It actually works in my favor. I can fight both on the front foot and the back foot.”
This tactical flexibility has served Kuzmin well throughout his ONE career.
Whether he needs to counter-strike from the outside or engage in close-quarter exchanges, he’s proven time and time again to possess the technical skills and ring IQ needed to adapt on the fly. Now, he believes that adaptability could prove decisive against Korodi.
With the stakes high and both men eager to climb into the bantamweight Muay Thai rankings, Kuzmin is focused solely on securing the victory. A respected veteran renowned for his unbreakable toughness, he knows that style points are secondary to getting his hand raised:
“A win – that’s the only result that matters, no matter how it comes. It’s going to be a thrilling fight. I’ll give everything I have, and I think the fans will feel that.”
Kuzmin Wants Another Go At Haggerty
While Vladimir Kuzmin is completely focused on the task at hand against Stefan Korodi, he hasn’t forgotten about his long-term goals.
Back in 2022, Kuzmin suffered a closely contested majority decision loss to current ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion and former two-division ONE Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty.
That encounter with the British superstar proved Kuzmin belongs among the elite bantamweight strikers – and the experience has only fueled his ambitions:
“I’ve always had confidence in myself. That fight with Haggerty showed me that I’m one of the best in this weight class.”
The knowledge that he can hang with the planet’s very best has given Kuzmin a psychological edge moving forward. His performance against Haggerty, while ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrated his technical prowess and championship-level heart.
For the Russian, the path to World Title contention runs through fighters like Korodi, but he hasn’t forgotten the sting of his defeat to “The General:”
“Getting into the top five is crucial to move closer to a rematch. The belt is the main goal, but the rematch [with Haggerty] matters to me just as much.”
