Kiamran Nabati believes his movement took the sting away from Nong-O's vicious strikes: "They didn't land with as much power"
Kiamran Nabati registered the biggest victory of his career against former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama at ONE Friday Fights 81, and he believes it was all down to a solid strategy that kept him out of harm's way.
The Russian juggernaut crossed paths with the Thai icon inside the Lumpinee Stadium last month, looking to maintain his winning ways on the global stage of the promotion.
Though the ex-divisional king started well, scoring with his trademark left kicks to the midsection, momentum shifted in favor of Kiamran Nabati from then on. Ultimately, all three judges confirmed the win in favor of the Archangel Michel fighter.
Looking back on the fight, the 29-year-old martial artist told ONE Championship:
"Throughout the entire fight, I stuck to the strategy we had developed with my coaches. My goal was to move, not let him hit me. I did take some hits, but because I moved a lot, they didn't land with as much power."
With four successive triumphs against the likes of Nong-O, Suablack Tor Pran49, Avatar PK Saenchai, and Pongsiri PK Saenchai, it shouldn't be too long before the undefeated Russian striker (22-0) has a crack at the ranked spots and the divisional crown.
If his past fights are anything to go by, Nabati is looking every bit like a fighter who can lay his hands on the coveted ONE world title soon.
Nabil Anane open to Kiamran Nabati clash after big win at ONE Friday Fights 81
Meanwhile, young Algerian-Thai pheon Nabil Anane, who bagged his fifth back-to-back win on the same card, is open to test himself against Kiamran Nabati should the ONE matchmakers lock them in next.
Speaking in a post-fight interview with Nick Atkin after his unanimous decision triumph over Soe Lin Oo, the 20-year-old noted:
"Maybe, [I can fight with Kiamran Nabati]. I'm not sure. I didn't watch the fight yet because I was around here for the interviews. So, maybe, it depends on the promoters."