Veteran Mark Abelardo Aims to End Ibragim Dauev’s Undefeated Run at ONE Fight Night 18

An intriguing bantamweight MMA clash has been added to ONE Championship’s first event of 2024.

At ONE Fight Night 18 on Friday, January 12, promotional mainstay Mark Abelardo will welcome unbeaten star Ibragim Dauev to the world’s largest martial arts organization inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Mark Abelardo is all set to establish his dominance against Dauev

Through 12 fights in ONE, Abelardo has established himself as one of the most exciting fighters to watch. The Filipino-Kiwi powerhouse has claimed five stoppages across his seven wins, and he was undefeated in 2023 with back-to-back knockouts. 

Abelardo will be out to make it three from three on January 12, and if he does, a climb up the divisional rankings may come with it. 

The bantamweight MMA division is currently ruled by Fabricio Andrade, who has yet to defend his crown after winning the vacant strap against former titleholder John Lineker at ONE Fight Night 7 last February. 

The stacked bracket appears wide open to new contenders, with the fifth spot in the divisional rankings currently vacant, so every fight carries significant interest. 

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While the clash next Friday is a golden opportunity for Abelardo, it will also be a perfect spotlight for Dauev to make his first impression on the global stage. 

Ibragim Dauev will look to keep his winning run going

The 22-year-old Dagestani stayed undefeated in eight fights in the ultra-competitive regional circuit in Russia, and he won seven of those via finish. His performances impressed ONE officials, who believe he can produce exciting matchups on the global stage.

Elsewhere on the card, third-ranked bantamweight Kwon Won Il and #4-ranked Artem Belakh will be in action as they look to keep their respective spots in the rankings against two dangerous opponents.

Kwon will face the hard-hitting Shinechagtga Zoltsetsega, while Belakh has been tasked with taking on Enkh Orgil-Baatarkhuu. Both matchups could affect how the division is laid out, and it could look very different when the dust of ONE Fight Night 18 settles.

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After putting an abundance of attention on Muay Thai in 2023, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong promised the promotion would be shifting the spotlight back to MMA this year. 

With these announced matchups for ONE’s first event of the year, Chatri’s statement appears to be ringing true.