Skip to content
MMAtown

ONE Friday Fights 164 Preview: Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu Faces Undefeated Elbek Alyshov

ONE Friday Fights 164 Preview: Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu Faces Undefeated Elbek Alyshov

Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu makes his first ONE bantamweight title defense

Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu returns to Lumpinee Stadium on July 31 with the championship, national attention and an undefeated challenger waiting for him. The Mongolian veteran will defend the ONE Championship bantamweight MMA title against Azerbaijani-Russian contender Elbek Alyshov in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 164, also promoted as The Inner Circle 24.

Baatarkhuu’s bruising pressure, physical strength and ability to drag opponents into exhausting exchanges carried him from respected contender to world champion. The 37-year-old has never built his game around looking polished. He makes fights uncomfortable, closes space and steadily removes an opponent’s options.

Baatarkhuu captured the title by submitting Fabricio de Andrade

The defining victory came at ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu. Facing feared Brazilian striker Fabricio de Andrade, Baatarkhuu survived the champion’s sharp offense, imposed his grappling and secured a fourth-round submission.

The result in Baatarkhuu vs. de Andrade made him only the second Mongolian fighter to win a ONE world championship. The first was his current coach, former featherweight champion Narantungalag Jadambaa.

His title win turned Baatarkhuu into a major sporting figure at home. He was formally congratulated by Mongolia’s president and celebrated for placing the country back at the center of Asian MMA.

Elbek Alyshov brings undefeated judo and submission danger

Alyshov vs. Baatarkhuu is not designed as a comfortable first defense. Alyshov enters unbeaten and has strengthened his title claim with consecutive submissions over Carlo Bumina-ang and Jeremy Pacatiw.

Those results caught the champion’s attention. Baatarkhuu needed three rounds to stop Bumina-ang and went the distance with Pacatiw, while Alyshov submitted both. His judo background, control from dominant positions and ability to finish quickly make him especially dangerous if the champion gives up his neck or an arm during a scramble.

Baatarkhuu has openly acknowledged that Alyshov may be the stronger pure wrestler. However, he also believes their similar styles favor the more experienced fighter. Both men want pressure, clinches and top position. The champion’s confidence comes from having spent years winning exactly those types of battles.

The champion’s unusual training reflects his physical style

Baatarkhuu’s preparation has always looked as rugged as his fights. One widely shared training clip showed him lifting a female MMA fighter as improvised weight, another glimpse of the functional strength behind his clinch-heavy approach.

That strength will matter against Alyshov, but this title fight may ultimately be decided by the smaller details: who wins the underhooks, who reacts first during transitions and who remains patient when the early takedowns do not come easily.

ONE Friday Fights 164 FAQ

When is Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu vs Elbek Alyshov?

Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu faces Elbek Alyshov on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Is Alyshov vs Baatarkhuu a title fight?

Yes. Alyshov vs. Baatarkhuu is for the ONE bantamweight MMA world championship.

Where is ONE Friday Fights 164 taking place?

ONE Friday Fights 164 takes place at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

How did Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu win the ONE Championship belt?

Baatarkhuu submitted Fabricio de Andrade in the fourth round of their championship fight at ONE Fight Night 38.

Is Elbek Alyshov undefeated?

Yes. Alyshov enters his first ONE world-title fight with an unbeaten professional MMA record.

What is Elbek Alyshov’s fighting style?

Alyshov is a powerful judoka and submission grappler who has shown an ability to control opponents and finish quickly once he secures a dominant position.

Who was the first Mongolian ONE world champion?

Narantungalag Jadambaa became the first Mongolian to win a ONE world title. Baatarkhuu later became the second.

Who won Fabricio de Andrade vs Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu?

Baatarkhuu won Baatarkhuu vs. de Andrade by fourth-round submission to capture the bantamweight MMA championship.

Why is Elbek Alyshov considered a dangerous challenger?

Alyshov is undefeated and submitted two opponents whom Baatarkhuu had previously faced, including Carlo Bumina-ang and Jeremy Pacatiw.

Top News