‘Looking For The Knockout’ – Paul Elliott And Regan Upshaw Ready To Open ONE Fight Night 44 With A Bang
Paul “King of the North” Elliott and Regan Upshaw do not need a long night to make their point. In fact, they are confident that things will end early in Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, June 26.
The British knockout machine and the American debutant will collide in a heavyweight MMA battle to open ONE Fight Night 44: Jarvis vs. Rungrawee II on Prime Video. If the mood from both camps is anything to go by, this clash promises to be the most explosive one of the night.
Both men have spoken, and both are ready for war in U.S. primetime. Here is what they had to say ahead of their colossal showdown.
Elliott Ready To Tap Into His Experience
Paul Elliott has been here before – he’s been under the bright lights, on the global stage, with everything on the line. What follows tends to be brief and disastrous.
The 33-year-old Englishman has built a career on ruthless efficiency with seven knockout victories, six of them in the opening round. In his most recent outing, he demonstrated that his finishing power remains just as dangerous later in a fight, dropping “Rising Rock Star” Ryugo Takeuchi via TKO in the third stanza of their April 2025 tilt.
Now, fully healed from his injuries, he plans to bring that same destructive power and some new tricks to his promotional return:
“Being able to compete again on the big stage of ONE Championship excites me.
“I have just been focusing on trying to improve my overall game, and I’ve got a good set of heavyweights to work with at TFT MMA to do that.”
Elliott knows better than to overlook Upshaw, though.
The American debutant comes from the world of college football, and all of his athleticism and physicality from the gridiron brilliantly translated to combat sports. To date, he has been flawless in amateur MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing.
“King of the North” has paid attention and recognizes what he brings to the table:
“I’ve watched his amateur fights, and he’s won them all and finished his last two opponents.
“I know he’s really athletic and fast. From what I’ve seen, he also seems to be pretty confident when he competes. His strengths are his speed and athletic agility.”
Elliott has assessed Upshaw’s game with the cold clarity of a veteran. His verdict on where the gap between them truly lies pulls no punches.
The Englishman has identified the holes he intends to exploit at ONE Fight Night 44, and he is under no illusions about where this battle is headed.
He offered:
“I’m fast and explosive, so I believe I’ll be able to handle him. His weakness, meanwhile, is the fact that he’s not as experienced as I am, and he’s coming up from light heavyweight, so I think I could have a weight advantage in this one.
“My overall MMA ability will be my advantage. I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it ends with me winning.”
Upshaw Plans To Silence Every Doubter
Paul Elliott made the experience argument, and Regan Upshaw, rather than disputing it, is using it as fuel. The 28-year-old has registered every word of every scouting report that has framed him as the unknown quantity in this matchup.
But behind the football pedigree and the quiet confidence that makes casual observers underestimate what is underneath, he has been preparing for this moment longer than the public realizes.
Upshaw shared:
“Of course, it’s not a surprise [if opponents underestimate me]. But I’ve already had wars. I’ve already been tested. I’ve already had a lot of things the public hasn’t seen yet.
“So yeah, on paper, it’s definitely ‘not that much experience.’ But I’ve been working. I’ve been working hard.”
The work has produced results – an unbeaten amateur run through MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. Two straight first-round stoppages have sharpened a finishing instinct that the Elevation Fight Team product believes will be one of his most decisive assets.
Every adjustment made in camp has been deliberate. The game plan is locked, and the promotional newcomer arrives at ONE Fight Night 44 with a clear identity and a far clearer mission.
Upshaw continued:
“I made some adjustments in camp with my coaches, and we’re all on the same page. I’d describe my style as an exciting showman who is calm, explosive, and always looking for the finish.”
As such, it is no surprise what Upshaw has his eyes on when the world’s largest martial arts organization returns to Lumpinee Stadium on June 26.
The Denver-based warrior, who is coached by Duane “Bang” Ludwig, plans to get his professional MMA career off to a flying start, and he intends to leave the Thai capital with the loudest statement possible.
He warned:
“Y’all are going to see what I do. I’m looking for the knockout. That’s it. A first-round knockout.”
