By:  | December 1, 2023 11:20 am

Shamil Gasanov will have the opportunity to get back on title track when he faces Oh Ho Taek at ONE Fight Night 18 next month. The Russian featherweight famously called out Garry Tonon only to get submitted by the BJJ black belt.

Despite the loss to Tonon at ONE Fight Night 12 he remains at #4 in the rankings. Gasanov (10-1) faces a very different type of test against the Korean who is also coming off a defeat against a top contender.

Haek (9-3-1) was stopped by #5 ranked Akbar Abdullaev in the opening minute of their fight at ONE Fight Night 8. Both men will be looking to show they can remain competitive in a division which has had an influx of new talent this year.

UFC veteran

As previously announced John Lineker will be making his Muay Thai debut at ONE Fight Night 18. The UFC veteran takes on Liam Harrison at Lumpinee Stadium on January 18th.

Lineker is a former ONE Championship bantamweight champion who developed a reputation as one of the hardest hitting fighters in the sport of MMA. The 33 year old faces a totally different type of challenge when he takes on the experienced Englishman.

Harrison has had over 11 Muay Thai fights and been in with some of the best fighters at his weight. The Englishman has been in with Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Muangthai P.K.Saenchai, Phetmorakot Wor Sangprapai and Saenchai PKSaenchaigym.

Flyweight title

Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Elias Mahmoudi will headline the event which is set for Lumpinee Stadium. The Thai will be putting his flyweight kickboxing title on the line.

It will be Superlek’s first fight since his win over Rodtang Jitmuangnon. That victory was soured by the 28 year old’s failure to make weight, it cost him the flyweight Muay Thai title and at least $50,000 USD in bonuses.

While Rodtang remains the Muay Thai champion despite that defeat Superlek holds the kickboxing title. This will be Mahmoudi’s second time challenging for the belt, he lost to Petchdam Petchyindee in 2019.

Hard hitting

Baatarkhuu will not be the only Mongolian on the card. Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg and Kwon Won Il will face off at Lumpinee Stadium on January 13th.

The Korean saw his title prospects damaged by a stoppage loss at the hands of current champion Fabricio Andrade. Zoltsetseg has been in some wild brawls but has yet to crack the top five at bantamweight.

Meanwhile Gasanaov will not be the only Russian either. Artem Belakh has been matched with Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu in a bantamweight bout with the Mongolian coming off a big win over Jhanlo Sangiao.

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New year

Next up is ONE Fight Night 17 which is set for December 9th. There are currently seven Muay Thai fights confirmed for that card.

In 2024 the promotion is set for a big overseas expansion. Earlier today ONE 165 was confirmed for Tokyo on January 26th with Rodtang facing Takeru in the main event.

A few weeks later Chatri Sityodtong’s promotion will be heading to Qatar for the first time. ONE 166 is set for March 1st and there aren’t currently any matchups confirmed for that card.

ONE Fight Night 18, Bangkok, January 12th
Kickboxing: Superlek Kiatmoo9 vs. Elias Mahmoudi (For flyweight title)
Muay Thai: Liam Harrison vs. John Lineker (Bantamweight)
Kwon Won Il vs. Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg (Bantamweight)
Artem Belakh vs. Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu (Bantamweight)
Shamil Gasanov vs. Oh Ho Taek (Bantamweight)