There are knockouts that impress, and then there are stoppages that announce a fighter’s arrival at championship level.
Friday night at Lumpinee Stadium, 22-year-old Russian Asadula Imangazaliev delivered the latter, becoming the first fighter to finish Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in ONE Championship through methodical body work that crumpled the three-time Rajadamnern Stadium champion at 1:02 of round two.
The $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong validated what the knockout announced — Imangazaliev’s perfect 11-0 record reflects genuine championship caliber rather than carefully managed opposition.
His path to victory came from following his corner’s instructions and recognizing the moment when his opponent’s facade cracked.
“I saw that he had a good block for his head, but my cornerman, my brother Mehdi [Zatout], told me to give him body shots. And after two or three times when I gave him those body shots, I saw his face change. From there, I understood what I needed to do,” Imangazaliev said.
That facial change — the involuntary grimace that reveals accumulated damage — represents the tell every body-shot specialist searches for. Once identified, the finish becomes inevitable, just a matter of continuing to deposit punches and kicks into compromised territory until the opponent can no longer defend himself.
His preparation at Venum Training Camp in Pattaya left nothing to chance, particularly his film study of Kongthoranee’s extensive career. When asked if anything surprised him during their battle, his response revealed thorough homework.
“I watched all his fights and understood what I needed to do, so I knew he wouldn’t be able to catch me,” he said.
Despite the emphatic victory, Imangazaliev maintains respect for what he accomplished against a decorated champion.
“I understood that he’s a very tough opponent because nobody has finished him, and I had a goal. I wanted to finish him, and I did my work. I prepared for this moment. He’s still a tough opponent for everybody. I know he’ll come back stronger, but today was my day. I came here to take bonuses [and] take finishes,” he continued.
Seven consecutive ONE Championship victories, his seventh straight in the promotion, position him precisely where he believes he belongs: fighting for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title.
“I wanted to show people this game has levels, and my level is on a champion’s level. I want a title shot. But if I need to fight someone else, no problem. Just send me a name, and I’ll come,” he said.
That path likely runs through legendary former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama, who carries 267 career victories and seeks to create another historic title run in the flyweight division.
The prospect of facing such decorated opposition doesn’t intimidate the Russian destroyer.
“Now I won [against] two legends, and I’ll come for him soon, Inshallah. I respect him, but the flyweight division needs a new champion. I don’t care if it’s Nong-O or not, just send me a name, and I’ll come and show my level,” he said.
Friday night proved Imangazaliev’s undefeated record reflects substance rather than promotional protection. Becoming the first to finish Kongthoranee in ONE Championship validates his championship credentials. His declaration that the flyweight division needs a new champion carries the confidence of a fighter who’s just demonstrated he possesses the tools to claim that vacant throne.
