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Can Elias Mahmoudi's confidence lead him to a bonus-winning performance against Taiki Naito?

All-action French-Algerian striker Elias ‘The Sniper’ Mahmoudi promises fireworks in his much-anticipated flyweight kickboxing clash against Taiki ‘Silent Sniper’ Naito at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video.

That bout will go down this Friday, August 2 in U.S. primetime at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and features two of the division’s most electrifying athletes.

Elias Mahmoudi aims for victory against veteran Naito in ONE Championship showdown

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Currently ranked at #5 in the talent-stacked flyweight kickboxing division, Mahmoudi knows that a victory over the #3-ranked Naito would do wonders for his World Title aspirations.

Indeed, “The Sniper,” with his high-flying style and dynamic kicking game, looks to be hitting his stride in the world’s largest martial arts organization and will be coming into this contest following a spectacularly brutal 98-second drubbing of former ONE Muay Thai World Title challenger Edgar Tabares.

Rankings aside, Mahmoudi is taking a professional, business-as-usual approach to his battle with Naito. He said: “I didn’t choose him. He was offered to me and I accepted. I didn’t think anything special about him. He’s a good opponent, like all Japanese people in general. I am really motivated for this fight against Naito. My goal is victory.”

 

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What’s your perspective on:

Can Elias Mahmoudi's confidence lead him to a bonus-winning performance against Taiki Naito?

Have an interesting take?

‘Silent Sniper’ will be a serious test. The Japanese standout is a veteran of 12 thrilling fights in ONE and has consistently found himself among the upper echelon of the flyweight kickboxing and Muay Thai divisions.

Mahmoudi prepares for an explosive showdown with karate stylist Naito

What’s more, Naito brings a unique, karate-based style that emphasizes speed and timing. Mahmoudi admits that his foe is a true world-class talent. With that in mind, he’s going into the bout with an intent to entertain – something he’s done in spades over the course of his ONE tenure.

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A bonus on fight night, he says, is all-but guaranteed: “Naito is a complete fighter with many more strong points than weak points. I don’t think I have an advantage over him or him over me. We are both experienced fighters. The more determined fighter will win.

He further added, “One thing is certain, I am coming for the double bonus, and at least one bonus. To deserve it, I must put on a show that lives up to what the public and the boss expect of us!”