Maurice Abevi believes Samat Mamedov hasn’t faced anyone on his level: “He’s not that experienced with high-level fighters”
Swiss standout Maurice Abevi believes his experience will be the difference-maker when he squares off with ONE Championship newcomer Samat Mamedov on Sept. 6.
After earning back-to-back wins against Blake Cooper and Zhang Lipeng in his last two outings, Abevi is primed to make it three-in-a-row against Mamedov, an unbeaten fighter with a penchant for finishing his opponents in the opening round.
The two lightweights will meet as part of a loaded ONE 168: Denver card in The Mile High City.
Offering a prediction for how he sees things playing out inside the Circle, Abevi is confident that he'll be able to force Mamedov into making bad decisions.
"I think I can make him swing and hit air a lot and try to shoot bad takedowns because he’s not that experienced with high-level fighters," Abevi told ONE in a recent interview.
According to Tapology.com, Samat Mamedov's first nine opponents had a combined record of 27-28. Only three of his opponents during that run had winning records. His most experienced opponent thus far has been Will 'The Kill' Chope who holds a record of 42-21. Mamedov submitted him 71 seconds into their scrap last December.
Maurice Abevi knows Samat Mamedov is "super dangerous"
While Samat Mamedov has not yet faced elite-level competition, that doesn't mean Maurice Abevi is taking him lightly.
"I think he’s super dangerous," Abevi added. "He’s finished nearly all of his fights. His opponents were not really top-notch, but he finished them all in the first round, and that must mean something. I really respect him a lot as a fighter. I think he is going to give me a good challenge."
There's no denying that the Kazakhstan-born Samet Mamedov is an absolute killer inside the cage. Through 10 career fights, he has dispatched all but one of his opponents in the first round, including six submissions and three KOs.
If he can secure a win in his ONE Championship debut, he will not only prove to the world that he can hang with the best of the best, but it will also deliver the lightweight division another potential title contender.
Follow this link for tickets for ONE 168: Denver on Sept. 6 at Ball Arena.