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Former two-division ONE world champion Martin Nguyen is laser-focused on getting into fighting shape as he trains back in Florida for his next bout.
The Vietnamese-Australian star is headed towards his next fight with a renewed sense of motivation and drive to capture the win. But the person standing in front of his attempt at further glory is No.5 featherweight contender ‘The Cobra’ Shamil Gasanov.
The pair are set to clash at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video, booked for February 24 in US primetime.
Nguyen returns to the stage four months after suffering defeat at ONE on Prime Video 2. The knockout loss, however, was a blessing in disguise. He found the motivation he needed to take action once again and returned to Kill Cliff FC in Florida to improve in all areas of MMA.
Speaking about the US gym, the former ONE featherweight and lightweight world champion told ONE Championship:
“Yeah, the beauty of it is I get no distractions over here. I can just focus on training. Eat, sleep, and train, eat, sleep, and train. Just the environment is different, and the coaches' energy is different. Everything is different when you come over here. You know you're going in and you know you're going to get good work every single day. It's not like you're going to come into training.”
Martin Nguyen is a world-renowned sensation famously known for his most devastating weapon, the overhand right cross. A prolific knockout artist, Nguyen hopes he can get his next opponent into range to deliver punching combinations from the outside and end the fight on his terms.
‘The Cobra’ Shamil Gasanov, however, has other plans. The Dagestani wrestler came in blazing hot with a 12-0 record before he made his promotional debut against ‘The Fighting God’ Kim Jae Woong. Utilizing his wrestling prowess, ‘The Cobra’ defeated Nguyen’s former rival by submission in the first round.
Gasanov is considered to be one of the most dangerous rising prospects in the division, but Martin Nguyen hopes his experience and striking abilities can put an end to the Russian’s perfect streak.
ONE Fight Night 7 will emanate from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and will be broadcast live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.
Martin Nguyen says fighting inside a ring instead of a cage favors Shamil Gasanov
With the upcoming event taking place inside the famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Martin Nguyen believes that fighting inside a ring instead of a cage will favor Shamil Gasanov.
Since the original venue and location changed last month, the fights will be fought inside a boxing ring instead of a typical MMA cage. For some, like Shamil Gasanov, it will be the first time they fight inside a ring, which is widely said to automatically give wrestlers the upper-hand.
However, according to Martin Nguyen, he sees advantages on both sides of the spectrum. Speaking to SCMP MMA, the 33-year-old veteran explained:
“I think the ring favors the wrestler in terms of that, it kinda gives the guy defending the wrestling, like more of a chance to sprawl or sprawl harder as well. I’ve already experienced what it felt like to fight in the ring against [Koyomi] Matsushima, when they lift you above those ropes you’re like, ‘Oh I don’t know what to do,’ but yeah, I’ve already experienced what it feels like in there.”
Catch the full interview below:
