Exclusive ONE Fight Night 23 Post-Fight Interviews

Bangkok, Thailand: ONE Championship™ (ONE) athletes who competed at ONE Combat Evening 23: Okay vs. Rasulov answered questions in post-fight interviews following their unbelievable performances.

In the principle occasion, undefeated star Alibeg Rasulov scored essentially the most vital victory of his profession as he defeated former ONE Light-weight MMA World Champion Okay Rae Yoon. Within the co-main occasion, #1-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico “King of the North” Carrillo prolonged his spectacular knockout streak, placing away #4-ranked Saemapetch Fairtex.

Under you may learn what they needed to say following their fights:

Alibeg Rasulov

On his ONE debut:

Initially, I wish to say thanks. It’s my first time in ONE Championship, and it was such a [good] battle for a primary time. I went 5 rounds. I wish to say thanks to ONE Championship.

On what he’s feeling going into his first battle in ONE:

I’ve expertise. I fought extra folks previously. I had loads of fights earlier than. So yeah, I used to be simply preparing. I wasn’t too fearful, and I’ll keep on this weight division.

Grading his efficiency:

You recognize, prefer it was a fairly tough battle. I’m actually comfortable to have gained and my opponent, he was sturdy, however nonetheless I gained. However I simply can say that I can do a lot better.

On being underestimated:

I don’t know, like I used to be simply preparing.

On lacking weight:

It’s my first time competing in ONE Championship. It’s a bit new for me, with hydration testing too. In order that’s why I needed to minimize weight twice. And, you already know, that’s why I’m saying I may do a lot better. However on the similar time, it’s a very good expertise. I’ll do a lot better sooner or later. 

On probably dealing with Christian Lee:

It’s not about Christian Lee. It’s all concerning the belt. I’m going to face anybody who holds the belt and I’m going to get this belt.

On getting again in motion quickly:

It’s all going to rely upon ONE Championship. I’m not injured, I really feel fairly good. I didn’t take loads of harm, so I’m going to be prepared. And in addition, I simply wish to say that I don’t wish to waste my time. I’m prepared for the battle if there’s a battle. My weight is at all times good, so I’m going to be prepared on a regular basis.

Nico Carrillo

On beating one other Thai legend:

Yeah. Thanks very a lot. I’m on cloud 9. I’m very proud of my efficiency. And yeah, one other Thai legend added to the listing. Not many individuals can say they’ve accomplished what I’m doing.

On Saemapetch’s sturdiness:

I’m not stunned. I feel he had a little bit of a bizarre tactic. He was ducking his head once I was coming in shut, and I needed to readjust to that, as a result of it was taking the facility out of my photographs. That was a bit unusual. However after I readjusted, yeah, I knew he wasn’t going to have the ability to take the photographs.

On getting one other bonus:

Yeah, I’m over the moon to get the bonus, and I’m motivated by targets, however clearly, if you’re good at one thing, I consider that you must receives a commission for it as effectively. So I’m very comfortable about that. What I’m going to make use of it for, truthfully, I simply actually like that sat within the financial institution. I’m making an attempt to avoid wasting my cash, stack it up.

On his continued enhancements:

Yeah, I’m nonetheless enhancing, [even] on this battle camp alone. I’m a brand new fighter in comparison with seven months in the past, once I fought Nong-O. That exhibits how a lot I’m enhancing [I’ve done] in an area of 1 battle camp. I used to be inactive for 5 to 3 months due to surgical procedure. So I solely went again in for 10 weeks, possibly. So in 10 weeks, not even in 10 weeks, six weeks, I’ve improved a lot, and I don’t consider I’m in my prime but. I don’t assume I’ll be at my prime till I’m like 27-28. You must nonetheless see one of the best of Nico [to come], and I’m like advantageous wine.

On what he seeks to enhance:

I’m uncertain. It simply depends upon the battle. I simply know I can do issues higher, and that’s all.

On his Thai followers:

That was one of the best reception I’ve ever had. Strolling on the market, I really felt like I used to be in Scotland. And so I do know there have been loads of Scottish folks there, however even the Thai followers confirmed me a lot love, and I’m so appreciative for that.

On the winner between Superlek and Jonathan Haggerty:

Undecided.

On who he desires to battle between Superlek and Jonathan Haggerty:

I would like to battle Haggerty, not as a result of he’s higher or something. I’d similar to to be the one to take the belt from him.

On placing Scottish Muay Thai on the map:

That’s what it’s all about for me, inspiring folks from the UK, inspiring folks from Scotland, inspiring folks from the place I grew up. That’s the aim. That’s the finish aim for me, aside from all the cash and the gold. It’s about leaving a legacy and letting folks understand how I grew up, you don’t must be a product of your personal atmosphere. You may select one other path, a path of greatness. However there’s loads of onerous work and dedication that comes with it, but it surely’s as much as you if you wish to do it.

Tye Ruotolo

On his efficiency:

Thanks very a lot. For certain, I may have carried out loads higher. It’s not a efficiency that I’m very pleased with. I didn’t have one of the best camp and I didn’t really feel one of the simplest ways going by way of the battle, until it’s the truth that I gained even on my worst day. It makes me comfortable. However that’s not a efficiency that I wish to have, particularly in a spot like Lumpinee. I’ve a lot respect for the folks within the viewers and the stadium, so I at all times do my finest to provide a very good present.

On Jozef Chen:

He’s just about precisely how I anticipated him to be, superb method. He’s a troublesome child. Perhaps somewhat stronger than I assumed. You recognize, he appears like a nerd on-line, to be trustworthy with you. However he’s somewhat bit stronger in particular person. However yeah, all of the respect to Jozef, he’s such a very good consultant of jiu-jitsu. [He has] actually wonderful method, and [he’s] a extremely good child. I’m actually grateful to have the match with him.

On not getting a submission win:

I actually can simply sit right here and make a bunch of excuses. However simply inside my camp, I used to be sick for many of it. And even earlier than the battle, I actually was feeling a bit off. I’ve been going by way of a pair little neck issues. It has sort of been affecting somewhat little bit of my nerve, the vagus nerve. I actually wasn’t feeling nice going into the match, however even on all my worst days, I simply gotta man up and get it accomplished, and that’s what I did. I’m stoked to get it accomplished, and in my subsequent efficiency, I might be higher. I’m going to go residence, and get in entrance of every little thing that will stop me from having an awesome efficiency in my subsequent one. I’ll carry out how I’m purported to.

On his putting expertise:

one hundred pc. I feel it’s somewhat bit higher than Kade’s. However yeah, I can’t wait to do MMA, you already know, I’m so excited to go. I’ve been watching my brother’s final battle, it acquired me so fired up. It was so rad to see him. We at all times grew up watching MMA fights, and we at all times knew that we needed to be MMA fighters in the future, too, not simply [become] fighters, however one of the best. So I’m comfortable to get this win in jiu-jitsu. Another for the legacy. My legacy just isn’t accomplished. I wish to be one of the best on the earth of jiu-jitsu. No questions, it doesn’t matter what. I do know I’m on my method. I feel proper now, we’re most likely thought of one of the best, my brother and I, for certain. However I wish to be pound-for-pound, one of the best on the earth. So I’m not going to cease till I get to that. However an MMA battle, that’s such a giant factor for me, so I’m excited to climb the ranks there too.

On his subsequent opponent:

We’ve been making an attempt to get [Nicholas] Meregali for a very long time. I assume he’s very tough to work with, I don’t know, however I simply assume he doesn’t actually wish to battle, to be trustworthy with you. The final time we fought, I had a number of torn ligaments in my knee. He was fifty kilos heavier and I nonetheless Alpha-checked him, to be trustworthy he was nonetheless backing up on the finish of the battle, you already know. In order that’s one which I actually wish to get again. If not Meregali, it doesn’t actually matter, whoever ONE appears like they wish to put in entrance of me subsequent. I’m prepared for something.

On plans to be a part of the ONE U.S. occasions:

Yeah, I can’t wait to have the ability to compete again residence, for certain. It will be such an awesome alternative. I do know the Atlanta card, there’s already some epic matches on there. So if I may get on that card, that will be wonderful. Perhaps give the opposite guys some jet lag for as soon as. However yeah, I’m tremendous grateful to have my well being, and I’m grateful for what the yr appears like sooner or later. I’m certain there’s going to be loads of huge occasions and I’m excited to get into [them].

On their fitness center in Costa Rica:

It’s going to be an incredible. It’s heaven on earth over there for us, my brother, it’s a spot that we’ve at all times been eager to get to since we had been little children and dwell there, and we’re lastly in a position to construct the life that we wish on the market. It’s a dream come true. I can’t wait simply to have a bunch of individuals out to come back surf and practice and share what we love a lot.

Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane:

On animosity between him and Ketchup:

Sure, however that is [just a] battle. In a battle, you are available hungry. And it is a battle. You are available [here] on a regular basis and also you’re hungry. You simply gotta beat this man. He’s speaking an excessive amount of, this man, since [before] the battle.

How comfortable are you along with your efficiency tonight?

[It’s] good. I’m comfortable. I’m comfortable for ONE Championship for giving me the battle. I’m very, very comfortable.

On Boucher Ketchup:

This battle completed solely within the first spherical, however this man has a [big following] in Senegal. Everyone is aware of this man. He’s a very good man. He has good wrestling in Senegal. However this man just isn’t [at] a excessive degree. Everyone ought to know this man is, [we’re not on the] similar excessive degree. My boxing is a lot better now.

On how prepared he’s for his bout with Anatoly Malykhin in the united statesA:

It’s the identical for me, in my thoughts. This man was speaking an excessive amount of. Inshallah, I beat this man simply.

On his prediction on his upcoming battle at ONE 169:

I win! Perhaps punch him, possibly excessive kick, something. Perhaps [with my] wrestling, possibly jiu-jitsu. That is MMA, it’s as much as Malykhin, something [can happen] in MMA.

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and likewise a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.

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