‘I Already Know How To Beat Him’ – Magomed Akaev Vows Impressive Showing Against Lucas Gabriel At ONE Fight Night 40

Russian MMA star Magomed Akaev has waited a long time for the chance to finally show his true quality on the global stage.

After two postponements and months of unfinished business, the Dagestani standout will finally step into the ring with Brazilian star Lucas Gabriel in a lightweight MMA clash at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video, airing live in U.S. primetime on Friday, February 13, from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.

The pair were originally slated to collide at ONE Fight Night 38 late last year before injury intervened. Their matchup was then rebooked for ONE Fight Night 39 only for circumstances to shift again, pushing it further back.

Now fully healthy, Akaev will enter this highly anticipated bout determined to carve out his place in ONE Championship’s deep and unforgiving MMA ranks.

The 29-year-old arrives with a 10-1 professional record and a point to prove after a razor-close split decision loss to Ibragim Dauev in his promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 32 last June. But rather than viewing that result as a setback, Akaev treated it as confirmation that he belonged, and he used it as fuel to propel himself to his best form:

“My first loss didn’t change my plans at all, because I didn’t lose due to a lack of skill. I wasn’t worse than my opponent either in striking or in grappling.

“Now I’ve moved up a weight class and I’m ready to start winning again.”

Akaev’s return comes against a dangerous and accomplished opponent.

Gabriel, a Nova União black belt with a 10-1 record of his own, has built his reputation in ONE through relentless pressure and elite-level grappling. He submitted the previously undefeated Gadzhimurad “Tought” Amirzhanov in October 2024, grinding his way through the ONE Friday Fights circuit to preserve his pristine promotional record.

That being said, the stark contrast between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Dagestani combat discipline is not lost on Akaev.

He offered:

“I think both Lucas and I have gained enough experience before coming to ONE. Now we’ll see who is better prepared — the Brazilian school versus the Dagestani school.

“I’m not a typical representative of the Dagestani combat sports school, where most fighters are wrestlers. I just want to win the fight and raise the flag of my country and my region.”

Akaev Says He Knows How To Beat ‘Predictable’ Gabriel

While Lucas Gabriel’s grappling credentials are well established, Magomed Akaev does not believe their lightweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 40 will unfold on his opponent’s terms.

Known as a sanda specialist with sharp striking and physical composure, the Dagestani warrior has studied Gabriel’s tendencies closely and sees opportunity where others see danger.

The 29-year-old said:

“Lucas has very strong physical attributes and excellent grappling, but his style is quite predictable. I already know how to beat him, and you’ll see it in the fight.”

Before earning the call to compete in the world’s largest martial arts organization, Akaev imposed himself across the regional circuit. He collected 10 victories without a loss, mixing head kicks, stabbing knees, and suffocating grappling into a style built on control and pressure.

Despite both Akaev and Gabriel possessing strong ground credentials, the Russian standout expects to dictate where the battle takes place, and he’s confident in his ability to keep the fight on the feet.

He explained:

“I’m going to fight him standing, and I’m confident he won’t be able to take me down.”

While a victory over a formidable opponent would return Akaev to the win column, the implications may stretch far beyond a single result.

An emphatic victory over an adversary who has yet to taste defeat inside the promotion could immediately elevate Akaev’s standing in the highly competitive lightweight MMA division.

The 29-year-old added:

“A win over Lucas would give me a strong chance to become a title contender, because he has had many fights in this league and won all of them.

“I’m really looking forward to the fight to show what I’m truly capable of.”