Niclas Larsen And Eddie Abasolo Both Desperate For First Victory In Crucial Showdown At ONE Fight Night 8

Niclas Larsen and Eddie Abasolo will enter the Circle with a point to prove on Friday, March 24.

Set to clash in a featherweight Muay Thai encounter at ONE Fight Night 8, the two strikers are both chasing their first win in ONE Championship.

After coming up short against elite opponents so far, Larsen and Abasolo each see this matchup at the Singapore Indoor Stadium as the perfect opportunity to get back on track.

Here’s what both men had to say ahead of their crucial showdown in “The Lion City.”

Niclas Larsen Predicts ‘Turning Point’ In ONE Tenure

Larsen is never one to turn down a challenge, but that means he’s had a tough introduction to life in ONE.

Going up against now-ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai in his debut and then former World Title challenger Jimmy Vienot in his next outing, the Danish striker hasn’t yet registered a win.

But given his 61-14 overall record, the man nicknamed “Dreamchaser” doesn’t feel like he’s showcased his true potential in the Circle – and he has no doubt about the outcome this Friday.

Larsen told ONEFC.com:

“I will 100 percent say I’m going to win this fight. I will be so amazed if I don’t get it this time. I’m feeling very focused. Very excited. I feel that this time is definitely the right time. I’m very excited about showing my development and also my skills. I haven’t got the chance to show it so far.”

Despite his confidence, the #5-ranked featherweight contender knows that he’ll be in for a tough battle against a rising star in Abasolo.

Both men are looking to assert themselves on the global stage, so Larsen thinks the bout will produce an entertaining showcase for fans in attendance and watching around the world.

He offered:

“I actually think it could be very, very exciting to watch because I had two fights where I didn’t show what I’m capable of, and I can imagine that Eddie feels the same with his last performance against Liam Nolan.

“I will just be in the zone and create the best match possible. I will enjoy every moment being present and grateful for another opportunity.

“I want this to be a turning point, though.”

Eddie Abasolo Promises To Deliver ‘Beautiful Muay Thai’

After coming up short on points in his ONE debut against British star Liam Nolan, Abasolo is desperate to notch his first win on the world’s biggest platform for martial arts.

The 36-year-old knows he must consistently square off against elite athletes in the promotion, and he can’t wait for another tough matchup with Larsen – someone he greatly admires.

Abasolo said:

“I follow Niclas Larsen. I’m also a fan of his. So for me, it’s an absolute honor to share the cage with him, especially in ONE Championship.

“Anyone that I come across in ONE is going to be a tough opponent. He’s 0-2, but those two opponents were no pushovers. Tawanchai is the World Champion right now. So his record, I don’t even care about his record. He is a solid dude.”

Known as “Silky Smooth,” the American striker wants to live up to his nickname by producing a stellar performance against one of the toughest opponents of his career.

And just his foe, Abasolo knows this contest won’t be easy. He expects to deal with some adversity, but he thinks that will only lead to an epic battle in Singapore.

He added:

“It’s going to be a good fight. I feel like the momentum is going to constantly be shifting in one person’s favor and back to the next. I feel like it’s going to go the distance. But it’s going to be an exciting fight.

“I promise that I will win the heart of the crowd and fight beautiful Muay Thai.”