By:  | November 25, 2023 2:00 pm

Two undefeated strawweights faced off at Lumpinee Stadium tonight. Sanzhar Zakirov emerged with his perfect record intact after beating Zaiundin Suleimanov by decision.

Suleimanov swept the Uzbek off his feet in the first meaningful action of the fight. After exchanging more kicks Zakirov scored the first takedown of the fight, easily getting his opponent down with a double leg.

Suleimanov then landed a right hand and threw an off balance Zakirov to the floor. He then swept his opponent again before getting taken down with a hip toss.

It was Suleimanov who eventually ended up in top position. He got to his feet only to be taken down again by Zakirov in what was a very even and entertaining first round.

In the second round Zakirov was relentless in his pursuit of the takedowns and eventually took Suleimanov’s back and sunk in a body triangle. There were three minutes remaining in the round and the Russian spent all of them fighting off rear naked choke attempts.

Hooks in

The momentum was with Zakirov heading into the final round but his first couple of takedown attempts were stuffed. It turned into a striking match and Suleimanov was clearly getting the better of it.

Once again Zakirov completed a takedown with three minutes remaining in the round and took Suleimanov’s back. This time he was able to escape and get back to his feet.

Zakirov immediately took him down again and took his back. Suleimanov was able to stand up but the Uzbek had booth hooks in and his arm wrapped under the chin.

He briefly moved into mount before Suleimanov  reversed and landed some shots from top position. Zakirov worked his way up and the fight finished with both men on their feet.

Suleimanov was celebrating at the end but it was Zakirov who got the nod from all three judges. With the win he improves to 9-0 while his opponent drops to 6-1.

 

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Best of the rest

In the opening MMA fight of the night Bismarck Gomes (1-0) submitted Asylbek Almasbekov (2-1) in the opening round. The BJJ black belt needed just 143 seconds to submit the previously undefeated welterweight

It was a good night for Brazilians. Matheus Pereira (5-3) beat GAMMA lightweight champion Sumit Bhyan (1-0) with a stoppage that came early in the opening round.

The main event also featured a Brazilian. Julio Lobo faced Kaonar Sor Jor Tongprajin in a catchweight Muay Thai contest and he won with a third round stoppage.

ONE Friday Fights 46, Bangkok, November 24th
Julio Lobo def. Kaonar Sor Jor Tongprajin via KO (Punches) at 0:46 of R3
Ferrari Fairtex def. Kirill Khomutov via Decision (Unanimous)
Khunponnoi Sor Sommai def. Lamnamkhong BSMuayThai via KO (Punch) at 2:00 of R2
Sornsueknoi FAGroup def. Petchkhaowang Sor Jor Lekmuangnon via TKO (Punches and elbows) at 1:16 of R2
Kongkairop FiatPathum def. Rachan Sor.Somnuk via KO (Left elbow) at 1:28 of R3
Ploykhao Or AudUdon def. Fahlan Por Petchkaikaew via Decision (Unanimous)
Kickboxing: Elbrus Osmanov def. Zhang Chenglong via Decision (Unanimous)
Seksan Fairtex def. Joker Paesaisee via Decision (Majority)
Yu Yau Pui def. Zehra Doğan via TKO (Punches) at 1:28 of R2
MMA: Sanzhar Zakirov def. Zaiundin Suleimanov via Decision (Unanimous)
MMA: Matheus Pereira def. Sumit Bhyan via TKO (Punches) at 1:08 of R1
MMA: Bismarck Gomes def. Asylbek Almasbekov via Submission (Rear-naked choke) at 2:23 of R1