“No one has dominated Aung La that way” - Chatri Sityodtong on Shamil Erdogan’s ‘unbelievable’ performance at ONE 168
Even ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong was stunned by the dominant performance of Shamil Erdogan in The Mile High City.
After a successful debut against Fan Rong last year, Erdogan returned to the Circle for a clash with former two-division world champion Aung La N Sang inside Ball Arena at ONE 168: Denver.
With potential title implications at stake, Erdogan delivered a lights-out performance against one of the most beloved fighters in all of ONE, securing a second-round TKO against the Myanmar superstar.
With the win over 'The Burmese Python,' Erdogan moved to a perfect 10-0 in his mixed martial arts career and may have emerged as the front-runner for a shot at the ONE middleweight MMA world championship — though Sityodtong stopped short of declaring him the next man in line while speaking at the ONE 168: Denver post-fight press conference.
Speaking of a potential title shot for Erdogan, Sityodtong said:
"I really don’t know, I haven’t talked to the matchmaking team, I’d love to get their thoughts. But Shamil looked unbelievable tonight. You’re right, no one has dominated Aung La that way."
Shamil Erdogan already chomping at the bit to challenge Anatoly Malykhin
Immediately following his win over Aung La N Sang in The Mile High City, Shamil Erdogan called out the reigning ONE middleweight MMA champion — who just happens to be current three-division titleholder Anatoly Malykhin.
During his in-circle interview with Mitch Chilson, Erdogan said:
"Anatoly Malykhin, right now, you're stepping into my territory, and I'm ready to defeat you in your division. Stay tuned for that."
Earlier this year, Malykhin scored a third-round knockout against Reinier de Ridder to add the middleweight strap to his collection which already included both the ONE light heavyweight title and 26 pounds of undisputed heavyweight gold.
Malykhin will defend the latter on Friday, Nov. 8 when he returns to the Circle for a showdown with Senegalese sensation Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane at ONE 169: Atlanta.
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch the ONE 168: Denver replay on demand via Amazon Prime Video.