Magomed Abdulkadirov inspired by success of Dagestani fighters: “It is where my spirit was forged”

ONE Championship-debuting Magomed Abdulkadirov is looking to make a good impression in his upcoming fight, drawing inspiration from the many Dagestani fighters who succeeded in combat sports.

The 32-year-old Universal Fighters athlete shoots for outright world champion status in his first ONE outing next month when he vies for the promotion’s inaugural welterweight submission grappling world title.

Magomed Abdulkadirov will battle Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Tye Ruotolo of the United States in the title fight, part of ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video on November 3 in Bangkok.

While he recognizes that he is up against a formidable foe in Ruotolo, the Russian fighter said he is confident that he has set himself up well along with fellow fighters from his hometown and that he can come up with a winning performance in what is the biggest match of his career.

Magomed Abdulkadirov told onefc.com in an interview:

“It so happened that all my friends and other guys in my circle learned about jiu-jitsu and grappling almost at the same time, enrolled in a martial arts school, and put all their energy into the sport. And now, 10 to 15 years later, they have become black belts and achieved great results.”

“I do not regret that my life is inseparable from sports, as it is where my spirit was forged, and I also made a lot of friends here, whom I now consider my brothers.”

In his quest for the inaugural ONE welterweight submission grappling world title, Magomed Abdulkadirov will be relying on his experience competing in the European wrestling and grappling circuit, where he also competed in championship matches.

Tye Ruotolo, meanwhile, is out to take his impressive run in ONE Championship to another level by adding “world champion’ in his CV. He made his promotional debut in May last year and has been undefeated in four fights since while also winning hefty performance bonuses along the way.

ONE Fight Night 16 will take place at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and will air live in US primetime free of charge for existing Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.