Gadzhimurad Amirzhanov knows how to get his way, and ONE Championship stands to benefit from his success.
The unbeaten Russian prospect used tenacious takedowns, suffocating top control and effective ground-and-pound to defeat Matheus Pereira by unanimous decision on Friday at the three-round lightweight show at ONE Friday Fights 70 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. All three ringside judges gave the win to Amirzhanov (6-0, 3-0 ONE), who was forced to go a full round for the first time since his professional debut in December 2020.
Pereira (7-3, 3-1 ONE) couldn’t get up. Amirzhanov took him down with an overhand left in the first round and threatened with a Bravo choke before settling for repetitive attacks for the final 10-plus minutes. Pereira tried his best from the bottom, despite receiving a yellow card for repeated punches to the back of the head. Those efforts, which included a powerful upkick in the third round, were in vain.
The defeat ended Pereira’s four-match winning streak.
In other bouts, Steven Irvine buried Focus PKWor Apinha with a brutal two-punch combination 1:57 into the first round of the 132.2-pound catchweight Muay Thai main event. ET Wangkhonngorm MBK was taken down by Yodthongthai Sor Sommai 2:06 into the first round of the 130-pound catchweight Muay Thai co-main event, his bout ending with a knee injury. Yodnamchai Fairtex defeated Tupthimthong Sor Jo Lekmuangnon by unanimous decision in a 114-pound catchweight Muay Thai brawl. Aphidett Phiatpathum took down Boonchu Sor Boonmeirit with a right hook 21 seconds into the second round of the 122-pound catchweight Muay Thai attraction.Payak Surin O Oududorn won a unanimous decision over Tahaneakh Nayokathasara in a 119-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout. Petpatai Boonrungsit defeated Sylvain Amini by unanimous decision in a three-round 123-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout. Chokpreecha PK Saenchai won a majority decision over Abdallah Ondash in a hard-fought three-round strawweight Muay Thai bout. Tun Min Aung took down Tuan Quoc Trang with a vertical elbow 61 seconds into the third round in a featherweight Muay Thai fight, leaving him with a deep cut as a result. Petnamngam PK Saenchai won a split decision over Amir Abdulmuslimov in a three-round 130-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout. Kendu Irving knocked down Yuhei Tsuda with a powerful elbow 1 minute, 37 seconds into the second round of their 143-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout.
