Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev sent a powerful message to the lightweight division.
On Saturday, 22 September, the Turk shocked the world by knocking out Russian contender Timofey Nastyukhin at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES.
He scored a sensational first-round TKO before a capacity crowd inside the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia.
The highly-anticipated showdown began with Nastyukhin pressing forward aggressively, looking to knock out his adversary with the same punches he has used to finish so many of his previous opponents.
After landing a thudding right hook, the Russian threw the strike once more and sent “Dagi” tumbling to the canvas. The Turkish star survived the scare and promptly returned to his feet.
Smelling the finish, the 28-year-old Russian warrior continued to launch heavy artillery at his rival, which prompted Arslanaliev to shoot in on a single leg takedown. It was at this point that the momentum shifted abruptly and decisively.
Although Nastyukhin was able to thwart his 23-year-old foe’s takedown attempt, he suddenly found himself pinned against the cage, eating a ferocious series of left and right hooks.
One of those hooks dropped the Russian star, and after a few follow-up strikes, the referee could not watch any longer. The contest was stopped at 1:57 of round one.
This victory is by far the most impressive in the Turkish athlete’s career thus far.
Arslanaliev raised his record to 6-1 overall, notched his fifth first-round victory, and has undoubtedly entered the ONE Lightweight World Title picture thanks to his sensational win
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