‘I’m Coming For You’ — Elbrus Osmanov Calls Out Yuki Yoza After Earning Six-Figure Contract At The Inner Circle
The road to the world’s largest martial arts organization’s main roster is paved with sacrifice, and Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov fought through every step of it. Last Friday, May 1, The Inner Circle became the stage where it all paid off, earning him a life-changing US$100,000 contract in the process.
In his 10th ONE Championship bout, the 24-year-old Russian delivered his biggest and most decisive finish yet, stopping promotional mainstay “Left Meteorite” Ratchasiesan Laochokcharoen in the first round of the main event, which aired on live.onefc.com from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Facing a Thai veteran with over 100 career bouts to his name, Osmanov entered the featherweight Muay Thai clash with a clear mission.
The Akhmat Kickboxing and Team Mehdi Zatout representative bypassed the danger zone, using sharp ring IQ to target the body rather than risk a war with one of Muay Thai’s most durable knockout artists.
Osmanov broke down the punishing body attack that caught Ratchasiesan’s usually tight defense completely off guard:
“Ratchasiesan has a good chin, and that’s why I hunted the body. Mehdi [Zatout] noticed this before the fight, and I did it. I worked so hard [in training] for those body shots.
“First knockdown, I felt how my punch got inside. I saw he went down, and after that, I felt good and more motivated to finish him.”
Osmanov smelled blood and shifted gears immediately. He unleashed a hellfire of punch combinations that sent the Thai to the canvas a second time and, by all accounts, that should have been the end.
Somehow, the former two-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion pulled himself back to his feet.
“The Samurai” could barely believe it. Shots that would have put others away had not been enough to floor Ratchasiesan for good.
He explained:
“He has a big heart. I was surprised because I punched him very, very hard. I don’t know how he stood up.
“Ratchasiesan is a very strong fighter. Big respect to him. One of the best fighters in ONE Championship for me, if you ask me.”
Admiration aside, Osmanov had a job to finish. A thunderous crescent kick to the body folded Ratchasiesan for the third and final time, and with it, the Russian’s career record climbed to 15-1.
It was a moment of pure euphoria. Every fight spent chasing that contract had led to this moment, and Osmanov had finally proven he belonged.
He shared:
“I’m feeling so amazing because I was waiting for this moment a long time. After every fight, I’m waiting for the contract. [All praise due to Allah], I’m so happy for this.
“It means a lot because now I have a chance to hunt a belt in the bantamweight kickboxing division. I want to fight in kickboxing in ONE SAMURAI Japan.”
Osmanov Ready To Settle The Score With Yoza
The only blemish on Elbrus Osmanov’s otherwise spotless resume belongs to Yuki Yoza, and it has never stopped haunting him.
At ONE Friday Fights 109 last year, Osmanov faced the Japanese star who arrived with genuine hype behind him. Yoza had sharpened his craft alongside ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa and former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri at Team Vasileus.
The Russian had his moments, but the unanimous decision went Yoza’s way, and the contract he had been chasing was delayed even further.
“The Samurai” recalled:
“That day felt like a bad day in the office. I didn’t fight like myself. I don’t know what happened. But next fight will be different. I am stronger and faster. Everything is better.”
Osmanov went back to work. Three consecutive wins followed, each more convincing than the last. Now, with a life-changing contract secured, the path to unfinished business has never been clearer.
The timing could not be more fitting. Yoza had just come up short in his bid to dethrone ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty at ONE SAMURAI 1, and Osmanov wasted no time making his intentions known.
Far from shying away from enemy territory, the Russian is actively seeking it out. He wants the rematch in Japan, in front of Yoza’s own people, and sent a chilling message to his rival.
Osmanov concluded:
“It’s time to rematch with Yuki Yoza. You are a very strong fighter. I want to fight with you again, and I will beat you. Just be ready. Be in the best shape. I’m coming for you.”
