“I was offered this fight for a reason" - Kiamran Nabati says beating Nong-O Hama could land him among elite
Russian striker Kiamran Nabati is viewing his upcoming ONE Championship match with a lot of significance, seeing how a victory would considerably up his stock as a fighter.
The 29-year-old powerhouse is set to collide with Thai legend and former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut on Sept. 27. It is part of the 11-fight offering happening at the famed Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Speaking to ONE Championship in an interview in line with his scheduled match, Kiamran Nabati touched on what a victory over a fighter like Nong-O would do for his professional career, saying:
"I was offered this fight for a reason. I am also up in the ranking now. After I beat Suablack, everyone could see that I am one of the top fighters at bantamweight. Now with this fight, we have to determine a new challenger."
Kiamran Nabati made his promotional debut in September last year and has been undefeated in three fights to date. His most recent win was in June, knocking out Thai Suablack Tor Pran49.
Looking to clip his surge at ONE Friday Fights 81 is Nong-O, 37, who bounced back in his last fight in April after dropping back-to-back matches previously.
Nong-O recognizes he is up against a tough challenge in Kiamran Nabati at ONE Friday Fights 81
Veteran Thai fighter Nong-O Hama expects to be challenged at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Sept. 27 by a surging opponent in Kiamran Nabati and cannot wait to mix it up come fight night. He shared this in an interview with the South China Morning Post, expressing how he has taken note of the impressive run of the Russian to date in ONE Championship and how ready he is for it.
Nong-O said:
"I think Kiamran is great. He's a great fighter, and also his winning streak is pretty good. I view him as a challenge for myself because I also won a great winning streak as well. I don't think this fight would be any problem."
Check out the interview below:
At ONE Friday Fights 81, both Nong-O and Nabati are out for a big win to propel their respective causes in the bantamweight Muay Thai division, which has a new top dog now in double ONE world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9.