ONE Championship’s Japanese kickboxing star, Taiki “Silent Sniper’ Naito, needs no introduction. A child prodigy, he began his professional career in Shootboxing in 2011, where he became a super bantamweight champion. After further success outside ONE Championship, he joined the promotion in 2019 with a kickboxing fight against Alexi Serepisos.

Since then, Naito has competed against some of ONE’s top kickboxers and Muay Thai fighters to become a ONE World Champion. His journey continues on August 2nd at ONE Fight Night 24; Brooks vs. Balart, where he’ll face Elias “The Sniper” Mahmoudi, airing live in US primetime.

Moreover, a multi-time Muay Thai champion, Elias ‘The Sniper” Mahmoudi poses a serious threat. Currently ranked #5 in the ONE flyweight kickboxing division, Mahmoudi’s dangerous skills are acknowledged even by his upcoming opponent Taiki Naito. In a recent conversation with Raj Sarkar of EssentiallySports, Naito discussed his thoughts on Mahmoudi.

Raj: Your next fight is against the multi-time Muay Thai World Champion Elias Mahmoudi, who is a formidable opponent. The bout is set to take place in kickboxing. What do you think about your opponent, Elias?

Through his translator, Taiki Naito responded: First of all, I think that Mahmoudi is a great fighter with excellent Muay Thai technique. Mahmoudi was supposed to fight Superlek in January but was postponed due to injury. So, yes, he has a strong guard and great skills, making this fight a very tough and challenging one for them.

Taiki Naito’s words offer a glimpse into the skills of his opponent, Elias ‘The Sniper” Mahmoudi. But do Mahmoudi’s credentials live up to the hype? Let’s delve into his career and see if his resume justifies Naito’s cautious respect.

All about Elias Mahmoudi

Elias Mahmoudi’s dedication to Muay Thai began at the young age of 5, training at his home gym. By the age of 9, he took a bold step, traveling to Thailand to compete in his first professional bout. A stunning knee knockout victory earned him the nickname “The Sniper,” a testament to his skills.

Since then, Mahmoudi has never looked back, dedicating his life to the sport. This commitment has led him to train repeatedly at the best camps in Thailand, honing his skills with some of the world’s most renowned fighters. His relentless pursuit of excellence has resulted in multiple world titles across prestigious organizations like WMF, WPMF, and MTGP.

This stage is set for a clash of titans. Can Taiki Naito overcome the challenge posed by the dangerous Elias ‘The Sniper” Mahmoudi? A victory for Naito could propel him closer to a coveted ONE World Title shot. Stay tuned for all the action and updates on this highly anticipated fight!