‘I Will Smash Him In Every Aspect’ – Elbrus Osmanov Eyes Statement Finish Against Ratchasiesan At The Inner Circle On May 1
Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov believes everything is aligning at the right time.
The 24-year-old Russian striker will headline The Inner Circle on Friday, May 1, broadcasting exclusively on live.onefc.com, when he takes on two-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion “Left Meteorite” Ratchasiesan Laochokcharoen in a featherweight Muay Thai showdown.
Representing Team Mehdi Zatout and Akhmat Kickboxing, Osmanov enters the bout with a 14-1 professional record and growing momentum, having impressed across both kickboxing and Muay Thai.
Osmanov largely competed in bantamweight. Now, with the move up to featherweight, he feels physically and mentally stronger than ever.
He said:
“I feel like I have more power because I eat well, sleep well, and my mind feels good. When you cut a lot of weight, your mind gets stressed, and your body too. But now it’s different. I feel fresher, and I really like it.
“For me, [Ratchasiesan] is an easy fight. He’s not at a level I need to worry about. I’m fresher, hungrier, and younger. Everything is on my side. Simple, like Abdulla Dayakaev says, ‘smash.’ Smash style. I will smash him in every aspect.”
That confidence is backed by results.
Aside from a lone setback against Japanese star Yuki Yoza, the Russian has compiled a strong run in ONE, securing eight victories across both striking disciplines, including a composed win over former ONE World Title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex.
Another emphatic victory could move him one step closer to securing a coveted contract on ONE Championship’s global roster. However, he now faces a vastly experienced opponent.
The 27-year-old Ratchasiesan brings a 76-21 record and elite pedigree. Most recently, he delivered a statement performance at ONE Friday Fights 147 in March, scoring a third-round knockout over Uzair Ismoiljonov.
While his opponent’s durability and punishing left hand are well established, Osmanov is not planning to approach the contest cautiously. Instead, he intends to lean into a freer, more unpredictable style, expanding beyond the boxing-heavy approach he used in his previous outing.
He said:
“Yeah, I watched that fight. He’s heavy, but not fast. He stays in one distance and moves slowly. I’m a different fighter. My arsenal is bigger. I have elbows, back kicks, spinning elbows, everything. For me, he’s too slow.
“Nothing new. But this time I’ll fight more freestyle. In the last fight with Saemapetch, I focused more on boxing. This time, it will be more mixed – punches, different kicks, more freestyle work.”
That shift toward a more open and varied approach reflects his growing confidence in Muay Thai, as well as his desire to dictate the pace and rhythm of the fight.
Rather than forcing exchanges, Osmanov aims to control distance, mix his attacks, and gradually break his opponent down across all phases of striking.
He offered:
“In my imagination, it will be a knockout in the first round. A body knockout. I will attack the body because he has a strong chin, really strong. But the body is different. I will use [crescent moon] kicks, it’s a new weapon.”
Osmanov Targets A Rematch With Yoza In Japan
Beyond the immediate challenge at The Inner Circle this Friday, Elbrus Osmanov’s long-term ambition remains firmly set.
The 24-year-old Russian has not forgotten his lone defeat in ONE Championship, a decision loss to Japanese star Yuki Yoza in May 2025, and he has made it clear that a rematch in enemy territory is his ultimate goal.
He said:
“My dream fight is a rematch with Yuki Yoza. I want to fight him in Japan, at ONE SAMURAI. I want the rematch with him in Japan. When I win this fight, even if Yuki Yoza loses (at ONE SAMURAI 1), I will still call him out. I want the rematch with him in Japan. And I also want to go back to kickboxing.”
That desire is not driven by frustration, but by clarity.
Following the loss, Osmanov chose not to reinvent himself. Instead, he focused on refining his mindset while continuing to evolve across disciplines.
Reflecting on that experience, he said:
“After the loss to Yuki, nothing really changed. Maybe the problem was with me. It was the first time I fought a big name like him. Everyone was talking about him signing with ONE. Maybe there was pressure. Did I learn something new? Not really. Now I fight Muay Thai, and it’s different from kickboxing. But mentally, I’m calmer now.”
