Featherweight MMA contender Shamil Gasanov wants to climb the ONE Championship rankings, and he’s looking to do it via a huge match that almost happened for him in the promotion. 

“The Cobra” is booked to take on Ecuadorian talent Aaron Canarte at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, August 2, but he feels he has unfinished business with a former two-division king in the world’s largest martial arts organization. 

Shamil Gasanov reveals his plan after ONE Fight Night 24

“I think securing one or two more wins will position me as the top contender for the belt. But first, I need to defeat Canarte,” he said in an interview with ONE. 

“After that, I’d love to settle unfinished business with Martin Nguyen.” 

Gasanov debuted in ONE on a high note in October 2022 when he submitted former top bantamweight MMA contender “The Fighting God” Kim Jae Woong in the first round of their matchup at ONE on Prime Video 3 to extend his undefeated streak to 13.

He was then scheduled to face former lightweight and featherweight World Champion Nguyen early in 2023, but the fight fell through after an injury prevented the Russian star from competing.

Upon his return at ONE Fight Night 12 last July, Gasanov suffered his first career defeat at the hands of grappling great Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon. But he bounced back with a hard-earned win against South Korean star Oh Ho Taek at ONE Fight Night 18 this past January. 

As he looks to build momentum, a fight with Nguyen would make sense for “The Cobra.” The Vietnamese-Australian star is ranked #4 in the stacked featherweight division, one position higher than Gasanov, so of course he’s in his crosshairs.

Will “The Cobra” get to fight Martin Nguyen?

Nguyen would likely jump at the opportunity, too, as he is eager to find his way back to the winners’ column after losing out to Tonon at ONE 165 earlier this year.

However, Gasanov’s dream matchup will likely remain elusive if he fails to get past Canarte at ONE Fight Night 24 at the start of August.

He must continue to prove his worth if he wants to battle a former double divisional king, so fans should expect him to bring out the big guns in his upcoming clash.