Shamil Gasanov says he’s prepared to battle anybody that brings him nearer to a rematch with former foe Garry Tonon.
ONE featherweight MMA contender Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov is now simply days away from his foremost occasion conflict towards Oh Ho Taek at ONE Battle Night time 18, however he’s nonetheless ruminating on his crushing July 2023 loss to submission specialist Garry Tonon.
After a powerful promotional debut in October 2022, the Russian shot up ONE’s featherweight MMA rankings to earn a shot at Tonon. In that battle, Gasanov appeared robust within the first spherical, punishing the multiple-time ADCC veteran with large floor strikes to chop him open.
However within the second, Tonon stormed again to use a picture-perfect kneebar and hand “The Cobra” his first profession defeat.
A proficient grappler in his personal proper, Gasanov says that he wished to show he was a greater floor fighter than the ultra-accomplished Tonon. That strategic selection would show to be his downfall.
Gasanov mentioned in a latest interview with ONE Championship:
“In my earlier battle, I disregarded my nook’s directions once I caught a whiff of blood and let my ego get the higher of me. I wished to show to myself that I used to be superior to Garry within the grappling sport. This lapse in judgment price me a battle! I’ve pledged to my coach that I’ll all the time comply with the sport plan… I vowed to face Garry Tonon in a rematch if he continues to compete.”
Tonon is at the moment booked towards former two-division ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen later this month, so a possible rematch with Gasanov must wait.
Gasanov says he plans to win as many fights as essential to safe a rematch with the American, and that begins with Oh Ho Taek this Friday night time.
He added:
“I don’t wish to ask for a battle with Garry; I wish to earn it! I perceive that he may not have an interest on this battle proper now. However I’ll take any battle that brings me nearer to going through Tonon. And sure, I’m all the time thinking about combating him. It doesn’t matter if he wins or loses his subsequent battle, or even when I turn out to be champion earlier than him. I’ll settle for a battle with him at any time.”
The right way to watch: ONE Battle Night time 18 takes place on Friday, January 12, and can air reside on Prime Video (free with Amazon Plus subscription) starting at 8:00 PM ET.
