‘They Couldn’t Stop Me’ – Rustam Yunusov Fires Warning Shots At Suriyanlek Ahead Of The Inner Circle 34
Perfection is a heavy thing to carry at 19 years old, yet Russian sensation Rustam “Tomahawk” Yunusov shoulders it without flinching.
This Friday, October 9, the undefeated striker brings his pristine 17-0 record into a massive main event clash with Thai veteran Suriyanlek Por Yenying at The Inner Circle 34, live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium exclusively for members at live.onefc.com.
Yunusov has quickly proven he is no ordinary teenager in the weekly series. Eight straight wins have showcased his new-generation swagger, with creative spinning attacks arriving from angles opponents rarely see coming.
That prodigious talent faced its sternest test against surging Thai contender Decho Mavinn Muaythai at ONE Friday Fights 155 this past May. Riding a three-fight winning streak, Decho was intent on derailing Yunusov’s rise and dragging the youngster into deep waters.
But while the Russian’s signature flair remained, Yunusov showed a fight IQ well beyond his years. His ring generalship dictated the pace and space throughout, carrying him to the biggest win of his career by unanimous decision over Decho.
“Tomahawk” told onefc.com:
“The fight was pretty challenging for me because [Decho] is a pretty good clinch master and I felt it in the fight, but thank God I did everything right and we won.”
His climb now leads to the steepest hill in his young career yet. In Suriyanlek, Yunusov faces an entirely different monster. The battle-hardened Thai warrior boasts well over 100 career bouts, and his corrosive fists have produced some memorable knockouts.
Rather than back away from the danger, the 19-year-old looks to greet that pressure with giddy excitement.
The One Chance and Tomahawk Kamilov Team representative explained:
“I know Suriyanlek is a very spirited fighter. Anyone who has tried to knock him out couldn’t do it. I’ll try to deal with his technique with my tactics. I’ll try to move a lot, make sidesteps, and do a lot of boxing.
“In the first and second rounds, I will try to make him feel uncomfortable. I’ll have some boxing and low kicks for him. In the third round, I know that he will try to push and press me with his body punches. I’ll then work with elbows in clinching.”
Suriyanlek’s aggressiveness is his greatest weapon, but that forward-rushing can create openings for a fighter disciplined enough to exploit them.
Size could also shape the contest, with the 5-foot-8 Yunusov holding a five-inch height advantage. Against a fighter who must close the distance to do damage, every inch matters.
The teenage sensation added:
“For his weakness, I guess he cannot fight comfortably with fighters who move a lot on their feet, who use their footwork.
“I saw a lot of his fights with southpaw guys who have the same tactic as me. I can say that I have more abilities for this fight.”
Yunusov Is Ready For The Main Roster
The stylistic clash between Rustam Yunusov and Suriyanlek Por Yenying promises chaos, yet there is no hostility between the two.
Much of that stems from what the 30-year-old Suriyanlek endured to get here. While preparing for a fight, Suriyanlek was struck by a car during a training run and forced to the sidelines. Seeing him fight his way to full health and rush back to the ring only earned more of Yunusov’s admiration.
The Moscow native said:
“I was really shocked, and I was really worried about him. But now I see he feels good and I’m happy.
“I really respect him. I don’t want to talk any trash here. He’s a really good fighter and a good person. So let’s show a good and bright fight with sparkles.”
But for all that he has achieved, one prize still eludes Yunusov: a US$100,000 contract and a spot on ONE Championship’s elite main roster.
Patience has served Yunusov well, but the Russian standout knows the deal will not simply fall into his lap. He must take it with a statement-making performance, and he is ready to seize the moment and deliver an unforgettable fight.
On Friday, Yunusov gets the chance to show the world what former three-division MMA World Champion Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin saw in him when he took him under his wing and tipped him as a future World Champion.
He declared:
“I know that Suriyanlek said he’s not a stepping stone to a contract. Every fighter before told me the same thing, and they couldn’t stop me.
“To be honest, I can say that now I can beat the top five fighters in ONE Championship, and I can say that also if I get a contract, I’ll be at the top.”
