Top ONE kickboxing bantamweight Elbrus Osmanov had harsh words for the former K-1 champion Yuki Yoza ahead of their clash at ONE Friday Fights 109. In an interview with the Bangkok Post, the Dagestani-Russian striker has this criticism for the Karateka:
“A stupid, straightforward fighter that the Japanese have made a star out of in Japan. I will prove that he is just one more step towards my world title.”
“He is already barking at all the champions and fighters of the league – I will teach him politeness.”
“I don’t see anything supernatural about Yoza – this is ONE Championship, man. This is not Japan. It’s not K-1. It’s ONE – the best organisation in the world with the best fighters.”
Elbrus Osmanov is a standout fighter in the already very talented stable of fighters from Team Mehdi Zatout, also known as the Venum Training Camp out of Pattaya, Thailand. He is going against a very dominant and skilled fighter in Yoza, who has wins over former ONE champions such as Petchdam. Osmanov has no fear of the Japanese fighter as he himself has an unblemished record in the ONE Championship.
Currently on a six-fight win streak in the promotion, and with the experience he has on the biggest stage in striking, his harsh but confident words are no surprise to anyone who has been keeping track of his kickboxing career.
Elbrus Osmanov Vs. Yuki Yoza will be a battle of technicians.
Yoza and Osmanov are some of the most technical fighters in the already stacked bantamweight division, where Johnathan Haggerty reigns supreme. Being supremely confident in their victory, the only difference between the two is experience. Elbrus Osmanov is experienced in the ONE Championship ring, and Yuki Yoza is experienced at the championship level. In this battle of wits and skill, we will most likely see one of the best striking contests of the year.
