Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu carries the weight of a champion's responsibility into his first title defense, and he is embracing every ounce of it.
The ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion defends his title against Elbek Alyshov in the main event of The Inner Circle 24 on Friday, July 31, broadcasting on live.onefc.com.
Baatarkhuu, 37, claimed the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title in his last outing, submitting the feared Fabricio Andrade in a performance that confirmed his place among the division's elite.
Standing across from him is a challenger who has given him no easy answers to prepare for. Alyshov, 27, trains out of GM Gym and carries a perfect 10-0 career record and a 2-0 ONE record into the title shot. Baatarkhuu is not downplaying the challenge the undefeated Azerbaijani-Russian brings to the ring.
"The only way to truly say it is on fight day in the ring. I agree that he is a stronger opponent for me this time. Anyways, I'm the champion, and I'm going to defend my belt," he said.
The champion's finishing instincts remain as sharp as ever, and despite the acknowledged difficulty of the task ahead, Baatarkhuu is not coming to Bangkok to grind out a decision.
"It's hard to predict, but of course, I am going after the finish. He's a strong opponent. It's going to be fire in the ring," he explained.
Baatarkhuu has taken a philosophical view of what July 31 represents in the broader context of his career and life. Win or lose, the Mongolian is clear-eyed about the road ahead.
"Regardless of what will happen in the fight this time, life will go on. If I win, then I will have to defend the belt again in the future. If I lose, then I will fight hard to get it back again. This is how it is," he added.
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