“A big fight for me and my future legacy” - Kiamran Nabati on significance of Nong-O duel at ONE Friday Fights 81
Russian standout Kiamran Nabati is ready to make the most of his opportunity against former ONE world champion Nong-O Hama.
Emanating from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, ONE Championship returns to pay-per-views for a loaded ONE Friday Fights 81 card, featuring a main event clash between Thai superstars Superon and 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut.
Also featuring on the card will be the return of Japanese kickboxing legend Takeru Segawa as he meets Myanmar sensation Thant Zin.
But first, fight fans will be treated to a battle of prospect vs. legend when Kiamran Nabati looks for his 22nd career win and fourth straight under the ONE banner when he meets a Muay Thai legend who needs no introduction.
Speaking with the promotion ahead of their highly anticipated clash, Nabati believes that his fight with Nong-O could be a huge moment for both his career and his lasting legacy.
"But what really motivates me is that I’ve been given a fight with Nong-O, who is a legend of our sport," Nabati said. "It’s a big fight for me and my future legacy."
Will Nong-O take Kiamran Nabati's 'O' at ONE Friday Fights 81?
While Kiamran Nabati is working his way toward the top of the bantamweight Muay Thai division, Nong-O Hama is desperately trying to fight his way back into the title picture after suffering a couple of back-to-back losses last year.
Nong-O first saw his 10-fight unbeaten streak snapped at ONE Fight Night 9 via a first-round knockout loss at the hands of reigning ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty. Eight months later, he suffered another brutal KO defeat against Nico Carrillo at ONE Friday Fights 46.
Since then, he's bounced back with a big win over Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai in April.
He'll look to build off that victory when he meets a very tough budding contender determined to establish himself as a potential threat to the newly minted ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion, Superlek.
ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live and exclusively on pay-per-view on Friday, September 27 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. You can purchase the event exclusively on the official ONE Championship website.