Ilmadi Israilo and Kalandar Tabarov Credit: ONE Championship
ONE Championship apparently decided the best way to welcome two undefeated prospects to the promotion was to immediately make them fight each other, sources tell Cageside Press.
Ilmadi Israilov and Kalandar Tabarov make their ONE debuts at ONE Fight Night 49 on Nov. 6, bringing a combined 14-0 record, plenty of finishing ability and two completely different ways of ruining somebody’s evening.
Israilov (9-0) comes into the bout on a two-year layoff, but an impressive undefeated record that includes 5 finishes by submission. The submission specialist from Dagestan, Russia out of Fight Club Akhmat In Chechnya looks to make his ONE debut with a bang against Tabarov.
Israilov is a dangerous, wrestling-heavy grappler who does his best work once the fight hits the mat. He’s built his reputation on taking opponents down and hunting submissions, and with six submission victories in nine professional fights, he’s the kind of guy you really don’t want hanging around your neck.
Tabarov (5-0) brings his undefeated record into the ONE cage coming off a first round submission victory over Yeerdanna Ayihengnuer in China. The explosive striker boasts a very well-rounded MMA game out of Akhmat Tajikistan and Evolution Team Bayonov.
Tabarov is one of those dangerous young fighters who can ruin your night just about anywhere the fight goes. The undefeated Tajik has legitimate knockout power, isn’t afraid to throw some ridiculous spinning kicks, and if you think taking him down solves your problems, he’s already got two submission victories that suggest otherwise. Five fights, five wins, four finishes. The kid clearly isn’t getting paid by the hour.
ONE Fight Night 49 goes down at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on November 6.