Former two-division ONE World Champion Aung La N Sang is finally set to make his way back to the promotion, and he’ll be looking to showcase his skills in his adoptive home once again when he does. 

“The Burmese Python” is set to face undefeated star Shamil Erdogan in a middleweight MMA bout at ONE 168: Denver on Friday, September 6. The clash between the two titans of the sport is the latest addition to the stacked card that is set to take place at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 

Aung La N Sang vs. Shamil Erdogan confirmed for ONE 168

Aung La N Sang is a certified legend in ONE Championship, with a tenure that dates back to June 2014. He has collected 15 wins, reigned as the ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion, and produced classic bouts against the likes of Vitaly Bigdash, Ken Hasegawa, Brandon Vera, and Reinier de Ridder. 

Though he dropped both belts to De Ridder in back-to-back bouts back in ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX in October 2020 and at ONE on TNT IV six months later, the 39-year-old has proven he still has plenty left in the tank by amassing three straight victories – all coming via stoppage.

He started that run by knocking out MMA veteran Yushin Okami at ONE 163 in November 2022, and he followed that up with another first-round knockout against Brazilian powerhouse Gilberto Galvao two months later at ONE Fight Night 6. 

In his latest outing, he took out the always-dangerous Fan Rong with a second-round submission at ONE Fight Night 10 – ONE’s debut live show in the U.S. – in May 2023, which cemented his status as a legitimate contender for the middleweight MMA crown.

Aung La N Sang’s return to action will certainly be a welcome sight for U.S. fight fans. While he is considered a hero in his native Myanmar, he has also built a loyal fan base in the North American nation, where he has been based for several years. 

The middleweight fighter’s history before ONE 168

The Florida resident will need his full arsenal of tricks if he hopes to impress the crowd and extend his win streak to four against Erdogan.

The Turkish star is undefeated across his nine professional fights. He collected most of his wins in the competitive regional scene in Russia but scored his latest in his ONE Championship debut at ONE Friday Fights 22 last June. 

Erdogan took out Fan Rong with an explosive second-round knockout to announce himself in style, and he’ll have a massive opportunity to move into the upper echelon of the middleweight MMA division against Aung La N Sang at ONE 168. 

The showdown between the rising star and hungry veteran will surely bring out the best in both fighters, and fans will be treated to must-see action as a result.