The countdown is almost over, ONE Championship’s return to the Middle East takes place this Friday and there is plenty of top-tier regional talent on display.
As well as the blockbuster three title fights topping the card, there are a number of incredible bouts local fighters looking to make their mark at the Lusail Sports Arena on Friday.
Here is our rundown of four to keep an eye on…..
- Amir Aliakbari
The Iranian heavyweight can take a huge step forward in his hunt for the ONE Championship heavyweight MMA title when he takes on India’s Arjan Bhullar. There has been a considerable war of words between the wo in the lead up to the fight, so expect no love lost. Aliakbari, having lost his first two ONE bouts, has now strung three consecutive wins together and is a real force in the division.
2 and 3. Zuhayr Al-Qahtani and Mehdi Zatout
Zuhayr Al-Qahtani will take his undefeated boxing record to Qatar
One of the night’s most intriguing contests pitts two MENA fighters against each other. For the first time since 2017 boxing will be featured on a ONE card when 9-0 pro boxer Al-Qahtani takes on one of the world’s great strikers in Zatout – who is coming out of retirement for the challenge.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani will be making his promotional debut on Friday, but has amassed an impressive record in the ring and will be looking to make the most of the ONE platform.
Zatout, from Algeria, may not have the boxing pedigree of his opponent, but has been one of the world’s premier Muay Thai practitioners with more than 100 competitive bouts to his name.
Get ready for something special in this one.
- Osamah Almarwai
Osamah Almarwai wants to put the Middle East on the global fight map
When it comes to talking about world elite, you cannot have a grappling conversation without mentioning Yemeni-Saudi Osamah Almarwai.
The 31-year-old was the first-ever IBJJF Black Belt World Champion from the Middle East and he is now keen to translate that ability onto the ONE stage. He has already taken on the flyweight champion Mikey Musumeci on his debut and hopes his second outing with one this week can get him back on the ladder to a title shot.
In Qatar he will face Brazil’s Cleber Sousa, an elite BBJ competitor in his own right, who will also harbour title ambitions. But with the hopes of an entire region on his shoulders, Almarwai will be looking to send the crowd home happy with a conclusive win.
ONE Championship returns to the Middle East on March 1 with ONE 166: Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena, Lusail. A historic night awaits with no less than three title fights planned, and tickets are now available from Virgin Megastore and Q-Tickets.