Asadula Imangazaliev Highlights: ONE Muay Thai Knockouts & World Title
Asadula Imangazaliev has become one of the most exciting young strikers in combat sports. Known as "The Dagestan Ninja," the undefeated 23-year-old from Russia's Dagestan region has built a 13-0 professional Muay Thai record, including seven knockouts in nine ONE Championship appearances. His arsenal of spinning elbows, head kicks, jumping knees and perfectly timed counters has earned him comparisons with some of the sport's best strikers.
These Asadula Imangazaliev highlights capture the striking style that took him from ONE Friday Fights prospect to ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Along the way, he knocked out several established Thai stars, attracted attention from Joe Rogan and became the first Russian fighter to win a ONE Muay Thai world championship.
The Dagestan Ninja: A different kind of Dagestani fighter
Dagestan is best known in MMA for producing elite wrestlers, but Imangazaliev took a different route. His father introduced him to Muay Thai at age 10, and at 16 he moved to Makhachkala to train at a higher level. He later described that move as a turning point in ONE Championship's feature on his early training, sacrifices and journey toward a world title.
That decision changed his career. Imangazaliev developed his skills on the amateur circuit before turning professional in 2021, eventually relocating to Thailand and training with Team Mehdi Zatout and Team Chingiz Allazov.
His striking is difficult to read because he rarely attacks from predictable angles. Traditional boxing combinations lead into spinning elbows, axe kicks or jumping knees, while his long frame allows him to control distance without relying exclusively on forward pressure.
He also trains in taekwondo and grappling, although his professional career has centered on Muay Thai rather than MMA. That distinction matters: Imangazaliev's reputation has been built against established international strikers under Muay Thai rules, not through professional mixed martial arts competition.
Asadula Imangazaliev's best ONE Championship knockouts
Imangazaliev made his ONE debut at ONE Friday Fights 71 in July 2024, finishing Petmuangsri Wankhongohm with a spinning back elbow at 1:45 of Round 1. It was an immediate introduction to the creativity that would become his trademark.
Two months later, he knocked out Bobirjon Isroilov in just 34 seconds at ONE Friday Fights 79. His December appearance at ONE Friday Fights 90 produced another memorable finish: a spinning backfist knockout of Dedduanglek Torfunfarm at 1:00 of the opening round.
There was more to his early ONE run than spectacular knockouts. Mohamed Taoufyq took him the full three rounds at ONE Friday Fights 98 in February 2025, but Imangazaliev adjusted over the course of the fight and earned a unanimous decision.
He returned to finishing opponents against Denphuthai Superlek Muay Thai at ONE Friday Fights 113. After dropping Denphuthai with an elbow in the opening round, Imangazaliev ended the contest with an uppercut at 0:52 of Round 2.
The following fight provided his biggest breakthrough. At ONE Friday Fights 122 in August 2025, Imangazaliev faced seven-time Muay Thai world champion Panpayak Jitmuangnon. The experienced Thai striker had competed in hundreds of professional fights, but Imangazaliev knocked him out with a head kick at 2:07 of Round 1.
That victory earned the Dagestani a $100,000 ONE Championship contract and established him as a serious contender in the flyweight division.
Knockouts of Kongthoranee and Nong-O put him in the title picture
Imangazaliev began 2026 by facing former Rajadamnern Stadium champion Kongthoranee Sor Sommai at ONE Fight Night 39. He attacked the body with kicks and punches before ending the fight with a left hook to the liver at 1:06 of Round 2.
His next opponent was an even bigger name: former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama.
At ONE Friday Fights 147 on March 20, Imangazaliev caught Nong-O with a three-punch combination and knocked him out just 44 seconds into Round 2. It was another emphatic result against an established Thai legend.
There was one complication. The fight had been scheduled for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship, but Imangazaliev missed weight and was therefore ineligible to claim the title. Despite winning by knockout, he left without the belt.
World champion at 23: Imangazaliev vs. Aslamjon Ortikov
Imangazaliev finally captured the vacant championship on June 26, 2026, when he met unbeaten Uzbek striker Aslamjon Ortikov at The Inner Circle 20 in Bangkok.
Unlike his recent knockout victories, this fight required five competitive rounds. Ortikov matched his creativity with axe kicks, spinning attacks and sharp counters, while Imangazaliev answered with jumping knees, elbows and sustained pressure.
Two judges favored Imangazaliev, giving him a split-decision victory and the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship. The result extended his professional record to 13-0 and handed Ortikov his first career defeat.
Imangazaliev now holds seven knockouts, one unanimous decision and one split decision across nine ONE appearances, a 78 percent promotional finishing rate. Those figures help explain his reputation, but the highlights show something that statistics cannot: his ability to produce knockout opportunities from positions where opponents rarely expect them.
Joe Rogan's praise and the upcoming Ortikov rematch
Imangazaliev's performances have attracted attention well beyond Muay Thai's traditional audience. During the Joe Rogan Experience, UFC commentator Joe Rogan praised his exceptional timing and accuracy, describing him as a "laser beam striker" and suggesting he might be among the best strikers in the world.
That recognition has helped introduce Imangazaliev to MMA fans, but there has been no confirmed UFC signing or announced transition to professional MMA. His immediate future remains in ONE Championship.
On November 20, 2026, Imangazaliev is scheduled to defend his flyweight Muay Thai world title against Ortikov in a rematch at The Inner Circle 39 in Bangkok. The bout will also determine who advances in the 2026 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.
The first encounter showed that Ortikov could match Imangazaliev over five rounds. Their second meeting offers the champion an opportunity to deliver a more convincing result, while Ortikov gets another chance to solve the striking puzzle that has kept "The Dagestan Ninja" undefeated.