A ONE World Title shot at 22 years old does not happen by accident. For Asadula Imangazaliev, it is the product of years of sacrifice — his own, and more importantly, his father's.
The undefeated Russian striker clashes with Thai legend Nong-O Hama for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE Friday Fights 147 on March 20 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. When he walks into the ring that night, he will carry more than his own ambitions with him.
Imangazaliev grew up in Dagestan as the middle child among three brothers. His father had been an athlete himself, but circumstances prevented him from reaching the heights he had targeted.
"When my father was younger, he was actively involved in sports and dreamed of achieving high-level success, but for various reasons, it didn't work out. Because of that, he always hoped that one of his sons would continue that path," Imangazaliev said.
That hope found its vessel in Asadula. His father did not simply encourage from a distance, but he showed up every single day.
"My father played a huge role in this journey. He supported me emotionally and financially and came every day to another city to bring me back home. This stage of my life shaped me into the athlete I am today," the Team Mehdi Zatout star said.
The investment paid dividends when Imangazaliev made the pivotal decision to relocate to Makhachkala at the age of 16 in pursuit of higher-level training.
"Until the age of 16, I trained in my hometown, then I moved to Makhachkala to train at a higher level. Since making that move, I have not lost a single fight, and it became one of the most important decisions of my life," he said.
Nong-O Hama, the former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, represents the sternest test of the young Russian's career. But for Imangazaliev, defeating a living legend would mean delivering something far greater than personal glory.
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