Tagir Khalilov prepared for all challenges on his mission to capture elusive ONE gold: “I don’t care who’s next”
'Samingpri' Tagir Khalilov is full of confidence after returning to the winner's column with a top-notch striking clinic against Chinese standout Liao Shixu at ONE Fight Night 32 on June 6.
The No.5-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender aced his Muay Thai assignment without much fuss inside Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium last Friday, with all three judges at ringside unanimously agreeing to hand him the win.
When asked who he'd like to face off against next, the Archangel Michel and Samingpri Muay Thai Gym standout told Nick Atkin that he's ready to knock down any challenge that comes in his way of world title glory in ONE Championship.
"I have no worries. I don’t care. Why not? I don’t care who’s next. I just want to fight, climb up, and, of course, like everyone here, I want to be the champion," the 32-year-old assertively told the combat sports journalist during their post-fight interview in the Thai capital.
Watch Tagir Khalilov's interview with Nick Atkin here:
The Russian Muay Thai champion, after all, has never once backed down from a single assignment since his arrival on the grandest stage of combat sports.
'Samingpri' has shared the stage with former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon, ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9, Bosnian-Canadian veteran Denis Puric, and a hoist of top names including Nakrob Fairtex, Kongthoranee Sor Sommai, Yodlekpet Or Atchariya, and Black Panther.
Though results haven't always gone his way, Tagir Khalilov gave most of his opponents a tough scrap—so combat sports enthusiasts can be sure that when he steps back inside the Circle next, he'd be ready to deploy his fan-friendly style to close in on his dream to hoist world championship gold for the first time in his career.
Tagir Khalilov eyes fellow top-five star next
There are plenty of options for the No.5-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender next. Though he seems ready to take on anyone, the Russian brawler does, in fact, has one name in mind.
"Naito also called me out, he told me to come fight [under] kickboxing rules. I accepted, but they gave him a Muay Thai fight. I hope he wins this fight, and we can fight with him in kickboxing rules," Tagir Khalilov told Atkin in the same interview shortly before Taiki Naito took to the Circle to face Johan Estupinan.
Naito, who sits at the No.3-ranked spot, became the first man to hand the Colombian fighter a defeat in his career via a majority decision triumph during their flyweight Muay Thai joust inside the Lumpinee Stadium at ONE Fight Night 32. 'Silent Sniper's win also halted the two-fight skid he suffered against Elias Mahmoudi and Dedduanglek Wankhongohm MBK.
The ONE Fight Night 32 replay is available to fans in the United States and Canada on Amazon Prime Video.