Agilan Thani took on undefeated Russian Magomedmurad Khasaev at ONE Friday Fights 29 and earned an impressive stoppage win. The Malaysian was fighting for the first time this year at Lumpinee Stadium.
Thani is a former ONE Championship welterweight title challenger. He has some big names on his resume and has been in with the likes of Ben Askren, Zebaztian Kadestam, Kiamrian Abbasov, Yoshihiro Akiyama and Yushin Okami.
But he has lost three of his last four fights and looked like the underdog against Khasaev who had win all six of his bouts as a pro. It did not play out like that though with Thani dominating the fight before securing a third round finish.
The Malaysian is a BJJ black belt and turned 28 today. He celebrated his birthday in style by dominating an opponent who many had thought he would struggle against.
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Bad start
Things didn’t get off to the best start for Thani who was taken down in the opening minute of the fight and gave up his back. He worked his way up only to end up on his back again after attempting a takedown of his own.
Thani worked his way back up and completed a takedown. He moved into mount and started to fire off elbows as Khasaev gave up his back and spent the rest of the round fighting off a rear naked choke.
Khasaev was saved by the bell but the second round did not bring any respite for the Russian. Thani caught a kick and took him down again before moving into mount and landing punches and elbows.
Khasaev tried to counter with punches of his own before giving up his back. Thani went for the rear naked choke again and this time there would be no escape for the Russian.
The tap came at the 3:14 mark. With the win Thani improved to 12-7 and potentially moved back into the welterweight mix while Khasaev drops to 6-1 after the first defeat of his career.
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Best of the rest
In the other MMA fight on the card Mongolia’s Chayan Oorzhak secured his second straight win at Lumpinee Stadium. Last time out he stopped Avliyohon Hamidov in the opening round.
This time out he was up against Andrey Chelbaev who was also looking for his third win in a row in the stadium. The Russian flyweight was on the receiving end of a solid kick to the midsection in the second round and never came out for the third.
It wasn’t clear quite why Chelbaev chose to retire but it seems he suffered a rib injury. He falls to 4-2 while his opponent improves to 6-2.
ONE Friday Fights 29, Bangkok, August 18th
Saeksan Or Kwanmuang vs. Isaac Araya
Duangsompong Jitmuangnon vs. Paidang Kiatsongrit
Komawut FAGroup vs. Panrit Lookjaomaesaiwaree
Pongsiri Sor Jor Wichitpadriew vs. PetchHuaHin Jitmuangnon
Surachai Sor Sommai vs. Singdomthong Nokjeanladkrabang
Petrapha Sor Sopit vs. T-Face Erawan
Pongsiri PKSaenchaigym vs. Fariyar Aminipour
Elbrus Osmanov vs. Wail Karroumi
Rambong Sor Therapat vs. Noelison Silva
Yu Yau Pui def. Celest Hansan via Decision (Unanimous)
MMA: Agilan Thani def. Magomedmurad Khasaev via Submission (Rear-naked choke) at 3:14 of R2
MMA: Chayan Oorzhak def. Andrey Chelbaev via TKO (Retirement) at 5:00 of R2
