Undefeated Russian sensation Shamil Gasanov knows he’s in for the stiffest test of his career this Friday in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov on Prime Video. That’s because the 27-year-old Dagestani marauder will be taking on former ONE Featherweight World Title challenger Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon – one of the few men in all of MMA that can match Gasanov’s ferocious ground game.

Now, as he enters his final preparations for his showdown with the accomplished BJJ black belt at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, “The Cobra” is singing his opponent’s praises.

Shamil Gasanov wants a Featherweight title shot after a win over Garry Tonon

He said, “I have been closely following my division in ONE for a long time, even when I was competing in another league. Fighting Tonon has been a dream of mine for a while. I have watched his fights in ADCC, and I consider him the most dangerous opponent in my division.”

Indeed, “The Lion Killer” possesses a world-renowned submission attack, honed through years of competing in the highest levels of grappling. But Gasanov – currently the #5-ranked featherweight contender – knows he must first go through an elite talent like Tonon if he wants to earn a crack at reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Tang Kai.

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“I never look for shortcuts in my career, so I am fully prepared to face Garry. If I defeat Garry Tonon, I am confident that a title shot will be in my near future.” After earning a spectacular first-round submission victory over established South Korean star Kim Jae Woong in his promotional debut, the Russian seems to have all the skills and physical tools to one day wear 26 pounds of gold around his waist.

Shamil Gasanov also eyes a few title defenses after claiming the ONE featherweight Gold

And if he can dispatch Tonon in an equally impressive fashion, few will be able to deny Gasanov as the division’s top contender. For “The Cobra,” a World Title shot will only be the beginning, as he plans to capture gold and defend it against any challenger ONE puts before him.

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“My ultimate goal is to capture the ONE belt, as I have promised it to my mom. I also aim to successfully defend the title, God willing.”