“I Have Plans for Two Belts” – Dmitry Menshikov Focusing on ONE Gold After Latest Win

Dmitry Menshikov left Bangkok, Thailand, with another impressive victory this past weekend, and he may have taken a step closer to his goal of winning gold in ONE Championship.

This past weekend, the Russian powerhouse flexed his might to go three wins from as many fights when he stopped Thai star Sinsamut ‘Aquaman’ Klinmee in the third round of their lightweight Muay Thai encounter at ONE Fight Night 22 inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. 

Dmitry Menshikov wasn’t surprised by fans cheering for Sinsamut Klinmee

Speaking to ONE in his post-fight press conference, Menshikov seemed unsurprised by the result, and he put it down to a couple of simple things.

“It’s all about my style of fighting. It’s all about my pressure. It’s all about my energy. And yeah, my hands are good. I’m really fast and powerful,” he said. 

The Kuzbass Muay Thai/ Empire Club standout has been on a roll since falling to Regian Eersel when he challenged him for the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title in his debut last June.

He scored back-to-back first-round stoppages in his next two outings, but Sinsamut was set to offer him his greatest challenge since Eersel when they met last weekend.

With the crowd behind their compatriot, ‘Aquaman’ appeared to take the lead in the first two rounds. But the resilient Russian roared back and delivered a massive combination in the final frame that folded his foe and earned him the win.

Menshikov told ONE that he knew the Lumpinee fans would be cheering for Sinsamut, but he was there to do one thing and wasn’t going to let anything distract him.

“You know what, I was doing my job. I didn’t think of this much. Of course, I knew that he’s a really famous Thai fighter. I knew that people were going to support him, but I didn’t care. My job is simple – to fight. And I was doing my job,” he said.  

Menshikov has his eyes on two belts

With this latest win, the 26-year-old striker may have booked a ticket to a rematch with Eersel, who ended his 11-fight winning streak at ONE Fight Night 11 last year.

When speaking about a second bout with the lightweight Muay Thai king, Menshikov made it clear that, although he is interested in claiming redemption and taking “The Immortal’s” crown, it isn’t the only goal he has in ONE Championship.

“About the fight with him, as I mentioned before, multiple times, I want to be the champion. And I’m going to do everything to be the champion. And if it’s a rematch with him, sure. I want to be the champion. And also, I want to take the belt, not just in Muay Thai, but kickboxing too. It’s my goal. I have plans for two belts,” he said.