Russian fighter Ibragim Dauev will carry the lessons learned from two-division ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin when he faces undefeated Kyrgyzstani phenom Akbar Abdullaev in a featherweight MMA contest at ONE Fight Night 35 on 6 September.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both men, as this bout serves as a possible title eliminator with Tang Kai’s ONE Featherweight MMA World Title hanging in the balance.
The 24-year-old Dauev enters with a perfect 3-0 ONE record, riding a remarkable 10-bout winning streak that includes decision victories over previously undefeated stars Magomed Akaev and Pedro Dantas. His ability to hand world-class fighters their first career losses has established him as a legitimate threat in the division.
Standing opposite him is the 27-year-old Abdullaev, whose pristine 12-0 professional record includes a 100 percent finishing rate with nine first-round stoppages.
For Dauev, the journey to this moment began with reaching out to Malykhin for guidance, a decision that transformed his career trajectory.
“I first reached out to Anatoly, asking for help with my fight. He responded immediately and suggested I contact Anita. He advised me. Together, they helped me get a fight in ONE Championship,” Dauev recalled.
The relationship between the two Russians has evolved far beyond typical mentor-student dynamics, developing into something much deeper.
“Right now, I think our relationship is like a brotherhood – we’re not just friends, but family. I respect him as my older brother, and he reciprocates my respect,” Dauev explained.
Malykhin’s influence extends beyond fighting technique, shaping Dauev’s approach to life both inside and outside the ring.
“As a mentor, he’s really great – he always tells you what to do. His mentorship has influenced me in everything, both in and out of the ring,” Dauev noted.
The respect Dauev holds for Malykhin encompasses all aspects of the champion’s character.
“He’s a great person, a reliable friend, a devoted family man, and an exceptional athlete to follow,” Dauev said.
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