After 120 combined professional kickboxing and Muay Thai fights, Mehdi “Diamond Heart” Zatout is set to make his professional boxing debut.

On Friday, March 1, at ONE 166: Qatar, the Algerian fan favorite will square off with Zuhayr “The Arabian Warrior” Al-Qahtani in the first boxing match held in ONE in nearly six years.

Mehdi Zatout talks about getting a chance to box at ONE 166

Slated to take place in front of a packed house at the beautiful Lusail Sports Arena, that contest represents a lifelong dream for Zatout – a dream that almost didn’t come to fruition. That’s because in October 2022, just minutes after defeating American Muay Thai star Asa Ten Pow, “Diamond Heart” laid his 4-ounce gloves in the Circle and announced his retirement from combat sports.

Since then, the 40-year-old has largely dedicated his time to building his stable of elite fighters at Team Mehdi Zatout, but was allured out of retirement by the opportunity to test himself in the “sweet science.”

“I was actually sad when I made my decision to retire because I really wanted to fulfill my dream of competing in boxing at least once in my career. When people saw me at events, they’d ask, ‘Mehdi, do you want to fight?’ I would usually respond, ‘Of course, but not Muay Thai or kickboxing.’ What made me say yes was when ONE offered this boxing fight,” Zatout explained.

Zatout will be in for a stiff test on March 1. His opponent, Al-Qahtani, is undefeated as a professional and a trailblazer for Middle Eastern boxing. A former ISKA and WBC Muay Thai World Champion, as well as a former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title challenger, “Diamond Heart” has accomplished plenty in the world of striking.

While he’s never laced up the 10-ounce gloves to compete in boxing, Zatout always placed a special emphasis on pugilism throughout his illustrious career.

Also Read: 40 Year Old Mehdi Zatout Puts His Gloves Back on for Zuhayr Al-Qahtani at ONE 166

“Diamond Heart” reveals his mindset going into the boxing match

That extra training in boxing, he says, will pay dividends when he goes toe-to-toe with “The Arabian Warrior” in Qatar.

“A lot of people close to me know that I love boxing. I’ve always trained in boxing. Before when I sparred with the biggest names in Europe, I’d always focused on the boxing aspect. That’s why I’m good at boxing,” said Mehdi Zatout.

“At the beginning, I thought we would be competing in 4-ounce gloves. That’s okay, but when I found out it’s going to be a standard 10-ounce, it became more interesting for me because it will be contested under real boxing rules with boxing gloves. It will be so exciting for me.”

Do you think the Muay Thai star will find just as much success in boxing as he did in Muay Thai and Kickboxing? Let us know what your thoughts are in the comments section below.

Also Read: “It’s Also Special for Me”- Mehdi Zatout Explains His Reason for Coming Out of Retirement to Fight at One 166 in Qatar