Shamil Gasanov and Halil Amir are scheduled to fight on Friday, December 6, at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, in a fight that could be career-defining for both fighters. Despite his losses, Munhoz wants to claim his spot among the best in the ONE Championship roster. Banis also had a recent loss that he is looking to recover from as soon as it is possible. As Shamil Gasanov is known for his ground game and Amir has a solid stand-up game, this fight appears to be one packed with energetic and close-quarters competition so that they can hope for a world title shot.
Shamil Gasanov’s Path Yo Redemption
In his ONE Championship career, the No. 4 contender, Shamil Gasanov, has gradually developed and has experience in endurance. The Russian came into the promotion with an unbeaten record and has been able to amass a 4-1 record, thereby becoming a specialist in submission holds. Making his ONE Championship debut in 2022 on ONE on Prime Video 3, Shamil Gasanov brutalized Korean fighter Jae Woong Kim for a first-round submission win, thus establishing himself in the organization as a threat.
However, his form was checked when he was defeated by way of submission to Gary Tonon in July 2023. Unfazed by this series of losses, Shamil Gasanov geared up for his next fight and pulled off victories against Aaron Released Canarte and Oh Ho Taek, proving inconsistency in his game. Now with two wins in a row, Shamil Gasanov wants to come back to Halil Amir’s world title contention after this fight. After nine submission wins in his 15 career victories, Gasanov is still a force to be reckoned with and a threat for the championship title.
Halil Amir’s Road To Redemption
Another heavyweight fighter from Turkey is Halil Amir, who also comes to this fight seeking to secure a win. Making his debut in the ONE Championship, Amir was unbeaten through his first three bouts and scored two knockouts. The Ohio native was coming off 13 straight wins by stoppage and did not lose a fight until the match against Akbar Abdullaev in ONE Fight Night 22 in May this year.
However, like every other person who had been hit by a wall in their career, Amir was undaunted to get his speed back. Amir has always relied solely on his power punching and closing the show with knockouts, and he sees this bout with Shamil Gasanov as a platform to prove he is still a contender. A victory over a talent like Shamil Gasanov could rekindle his climb towards the World Title fight.
As for Shamil Gasanov, victory in the tournament ONE Fight Night 26 will allow him to try to begin climbing the division again. All these years he showed his submitting skills and his withstanding ability, which makes him one of the most desirable fighters to watch. Halil Amir, on the other hand, intends to convince his fans that his recent defeat was in no way an indicator of a declining champion, but rather a small hitch in what should be a relatively smooth journey to victory. It is just as significant for both fighters and fans to look forward to a ferocious fight as both fighters clash for a potential opportunity to climb up the ranks of the ONE Championship.
Conclusion
With less than a month left before One: Battle of Champions 26, the Shamil Gasanov/Amir bout looks like the fight that will decide the futures of both competitors. For Gasanov, the win on the table could help cement his comeback and revive his bid for the championship. For Amir, it will be a great opportunity to show that he is a tough man and wants to get his place among the leaders. What is being put out is promising of an intense battle that could shift the games for either artist and, by extension, their fans.