‘I’ll KO Him For The Bonus’ – Shamil Erdogan Aims To Make Statement Against Aung La N Sang In Denver
Undefeated Turkish sensation Shamil Erdogan hopes to showcase his ever-evolving striking game and score a bonus-winning knockout when he battles former two-division ONE MMA World Champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang on September 6 at ONE 168: Denver.
Set to air live in U.S. primetime from Ball Arena, this crucial middleweight MMA clash could produce the division’s next World Title challenger and pits a rising star against a decorated veteran.
Erdogan, a decorated freestyle wrestler with crushing strength, boasts a pristine 9-0 professional MMA record and has long been touted as the next big star at middleweight.
His opponent, known as “The Burmese Python,” is the former ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion who is currently riding a three-fight winning streak and has firmly established himself as an elite knockout artist.
Given their individual skill sets, Erdogan is confident he holds a significant wrestling and takedown advantage over his foe. He told onefc.com:
“It’s unlikely that he will be able to defend against my attacks. I’m on a different level in wrestling, so he should prepare to dive into deep waters.”
Indeed, the Turkish fighter’s clearest path to victory are his takedowns, ground-and-pound, and suffocating top control. Erdogan, though, considers himself much more than just a wrestler.
The unbeaten middleweight says he is a well-rounded mixed martial artist.
Despite his wrestling advantage, Erdogan plans to showcase his stand-up game against one of the division’s most talented strikers:
“I will fight him both in stand-up and in wrestling. There will be no ‘just wrestling.’ I’ve been spending a lot of time on my striking technique lately, and I want to show what I’ve learned.”
If he’s able to best a dangerous striker like Aung La N Sang on the feet, the 34-year-old will have erased any doubts that his stand-up is as dangerous as his grappling.
With that in mind, Erdogan aims to prove a point at ONE 168. He also plans to finish the former titleholder on the feet and leave Ball Arena with an extra US$50,000 in his pocket:
“I don’t think the fight will last three rounds. Inshallah, I’ll take him down in the second round. I plan to finish the fight in the stand-up as I need the bonus. I want to ask Mr. Chatri to be ready. I’ll KO him for the bonus.”
Erdogan Targets Middleweight MMA Gold
While Shamil Erdogan knows he’s in for a stiff test against Aung La N Sang, he says “The Burmese Python” is just another step on his climb toward the ONE Middleweight MMA World Title.
A victory on September 6 would extend his perfect record, put an end to his opponent’s winning streak – and in his mind, give him a claim to the next crack at gold:
“Defeating him means nothing to me. It’s just another obstacle to something bigger. I hope to get a fight for the ONE belt soon after this one.”
The middleweight MMA crown is currently held by three-division kingpin Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin.
Erdogan is a familiar friend to the Russian superstar but is happy to put that friendship aside to achieve his ultimate goal:
“Anatoly Malykhin, I have a good relationship with him, and I know him from the times when we competed in freestyle wrestling. But he is now the champion in my weight class, and if it stays this way, our fight will be inevitable.”
