ONE 166 will function a major contingent of athletes from the Middle East, one in all whom hopes his continued success will enable him to compete in the same occasion in his dwelling nation.
Iranian heavyweight Amir Aliakbari, who’s on a three-fight successful streak, will tackle former heavyweight champion Arjan Brar at ONE 166, the primary main international MMA promotion hosted by ONE Championship, in Qatar.
“I’m very completely happy to be part of this occasion and am excited to compete in Qatar. Certainly, occasions like this occurring within the Middle East contribute to the event of martial arts on this area. I sincerely hope that it is going to be held in Iran sometime.”
Ali Akbari was anticipated to take the ONE Championship heavyweight division by storm, however issues did not work out.
His ONE Championship profession did not get off to a terrific begin. He misplaced his first two matches, each of which have been stopped within the opener.
His solely loss earlier than that got here by the hands of Mirko “CRO Cop” Filipovic within the Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix ultimate.
ONE: Malihin says to Reug Reug and Aliakbari, “I’ll defeat them each on the identical evening.”
The Iranian fighter is again on observe with three wins, and if he can safe a fourth win in Qatar on Friday, Ali Akbari may turn out to be the subsequent ONE Championship heavyweight title champion.
Certainly he sees the scenario that approach.
“This is my greatest match in ONE to this point. We are each wrestlers and have an extended historical past on this sport. I consider it is going to be a terrific match and the winner will face the ONE Heavyweight Champion. I consider he deserves a title battle.”
Although each are skilled wrestlers, with Bouler representing Canada on the 2012 London Olympics, Aliakbari considers his opponent to be very one-dimensional.
“I’d say that Bouler’s physicality is his biggest supply of energy and that will make it troublesome for me to hit him. But if he cannot use his wrestling, I additionally assume his ability set is restricted and he cannot do lots.”
One of Aliakbari’s ONE Championship losses got here by the hands of present heavyweight champion Anatoly Malihin. The two fighters will sq. off on Friday, with the Russian taking up Reinier de Ridder for the middleweight belt and headlining the occasion.
Amir Aliakbari (left) faces Anatoly Malihin after Iran’s latest victory.Photo: ONE Championship
Aliakbari has made it clear that he needs to play once more towards Marihin. The Iranian fighter has come again strongly from his early two losses and is hoping to encourage others with one other win at ONE 166.
“After the victory, I want to show that the trail to success was primarily based on coaching self-discipline, perseverance after each failure and the hassle to return again stronger every time,” he mentioned. mentioned.
There are not any worldwide MMA organizations issuing playing cards in Iran. But ONE Championship is breaking new floor in Qatar this weekend, and Ali Akbari hopes his hometown shall be on his listing of future locations.
Ali Akbari has already fought in Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines since signing with ONE Championship. He additionally competed in Japan six occasions at first of his combined martial arts profession and is effectively traveled, however has by no means fought in his native Iran.
It’s been greater than two years since Ali Akbari final misplaced, and he appears and feels like a brand new man. The 36-year-old has ready effectively for the battle with Bouler and believes the result is now not in his management.
“I consider I’m prepared for the sport as a result of I’ve been practising very laborious. God keen, I’m going to complete the sport with a victory.”
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After Aliakbari’s latest victory, he known as out to Malihin, who occurred to be sitting at ringside. A showdown ensued, with commentators having a tough time separating the 2 heavyweights.
The two sides seem like on the verge of battle. Assuming each males win at ONE 166 on Friday, I would not be stunned if one other brawl breaks out in Qatar this weekend.