On Friday, June 26, ONE Championship will host 'The Inner Circle 20' at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium, an exclusive event streamed live for members. This card is highlighted by a historic main event where two undefeated fighters will battle for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title, marking a first for the organization. The co-main event promises an equally captivating spectacle, featuring the third and decisive showdown between two legendary Thai rivals, further intensifying the anticipation for this premier martial arts gathering.
The headline bout will see Asadula Imangazaliev and Aslamjon Ortikov compete for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. Both athletes earned their contracts through knockout victories at Lumpinee Stadium and boast unblemished records. This encounter represents a landmark occasion in ONE Championship history, as it's the first time two undefeated winners from the ONE Friday Fights series will contend for a world title, bringing 26 pounds of gold into play for these formidable competitors.
Imangazaliev enters the ring with a 12-0 record, including nine finishes. The 22-year-old Dagestani, training under Team Mehdi Zatout and Team Chingiz Allazov, has showcased incredible destructive power in the weekly series. His notable victories include knockouts over Nong-O Hama and Kongthoranee Sor Sommai, both of whom are featured lower on the same fight card. His fights are characterized by an inherent danger in every exchange, stemming from his raw finishing capabilities.
Ortikov, with an impressive 24-0 record and 13 finishes, has garnered comparisons to boxing great Lomachenko for his fluid, switch-hitting, and unpredictable Muay Thai style. Opponents often find themselves outmaneuvered and perplexed by his elusive techniques. Hailing from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a region he affectionately calls "little Thailand" due to its strong fighting culture, Ortikov traveled to Bangkok independently to pursue his fighting aspirations. Before his ONE career, he secured eight Uzbekistan National Championships and two Asian Championships, demonstrating his formidable skill set and dedication.
His most recent triumph was a second-round TKO against Jordan Estupinan at ONE Fight Night 43. Ortikov is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted fighters on the roster. His journey is a testament to years of relentless effort and self-made success, fueled by a deep hunger that only a fighter who has built a career from humble beginnings, far from home, can possess.
In the co-main event, Nong-O and Kongthoranee will write the final chapter of their flyweight Muay Thai rivalry. Their previous two encounters have been a fascinating study in contrasting styles and strategic adaptations. The first bout at ONE Fight Night 28 saw Kongthoranee, with his youthful vigor, speed, and relentless output, clinch a split decision over the seasoned veteran Nong-O. This outcome prompted speculation about the decline of the old guard.
However, Nong-O delivered a resounding response in their rematch at ONE Fight Night 31, asserting control and dictating the pace to earn a unanimous decision. This dominant performance also secured him a bonus, emphatically proving his enduring prowess. The upcoming third fight is set to definitively settle their rivalry, determining who emerges as the superior fighter in this compelling saga.
The undercard features three more exciting bouts. Among them, Thailand's Stamp Fairtex, the promotion's first and only three-sport World Champion, makes her return to atomweight Muay Thai. She will face Mexico's Cynthia Flores, who aims to ignite her ONE Championship career against one of the sport's most prominent stars, adding another layer of intrigue to an already stacked fight night.