Giorgio Petrosyan On Yodsanklai Dream Match: 'Why Not?'

Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan entered ONE Super Series as a legend, but the Armenian-Italian kickboxing superstar is set to strengthen his legacy in The Home Of Martial Arts.

“The Doctor” was one of the landmark early signings for ONE Championship’s fresh all-striking league, and featured on the opening card at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR in April with a win over “Smokin” Jo Nattawut.

He returned at ONE: HEART OF THE LION in November with a flawless victory over Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy that earned him the ONE Performance Of The Year.

Off the back of his 2-0 slate against elite opposition, the Milan native was also awarded the ONE Super Series Athlete Of The Year accolade.

Petrosyan’s powers are still growing — an impressive feat for an athlete that has been in the game for 17 years — and this means 2019 is all set to be an exciting time for fans of the world’s largest martial arts organization.

However, anticipation recently went through the roof with the announcement of the ONE Super Series Featherweight World Grand Prix.

The Italian will enter the tournament bracket with seven more of the world’s finest stand-up martial artists, and the “The Doctor” is ready to face any challenger in the coming year.

“There are many very strong and valuable athletes in ONE,” he says.

“Right now, the names don’t matter to me. I will fight with anyone, and I have no problems.”

Petrosyan’s career has been nothing short of remarkable, with a 98-2-2 record that includes victories over many of the sport’s top names.

As he has shown in his recent performances, he is also motivated and continues to evolve. His 2018 outings showcased his clinical style, but also even more forward pressure and aggression that made for thrilling battles.

He is undoubtedly one of the favorites to win the grand prix, but he is unwilling to accept that label at the expense of his peers until he has proven he deserves it by beating them under the lights.

“I have not fought for the title yet,” the two-time K-1 Max World Champion says.

“If one day, I fight for the ONE title and I win, I will probably be able to say I am the number one. For now, I leave this thought to others.”

Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex is one of the other tournament entrants, and an opponent that fans have expressed a particular interest in. As one of the all-time greats of the Muay Thai world, he garnered the nickname “The Boxing Computer” for his intelligence in the ring.

Petrosyan’s “The Doctor” moniker is a similar story — it is his precision and cerebral nature that help him to overcome even the toughest adversaries.

The chance for the pair to meet, potentially with a ONE World Title on the line, is an exciting prospect that is now closer to reality than ever before. The 33-year-old Italian reveals he will be ready if the time comes for the legends to square off.

“Much has been said about this meeting with Yodsanklai,” he says.

“I know him well, I’ve known him for many years. I know he’s a left-handed like me. He’s a fighter that hits hard. I’d like to meet him maybe for the title of ONE, and why not?”

Petrosyan is excited for the year ahead, and the opportunities it presents.

As well as some of the top-class opponents he is set to face, he is also looking forward to the chance to compete in the country that was the stage for so many of his most famous triumphs.

“I would like to go back to fight in Japan because Tokyo is the home of the Samurai, the fighters,” he explains.

However, the thing that keeps him more motivated than anything else is the ONE World Title.

Even after more than 100 professional contests and a huge collection of belts, that prize drives him, keeps him focused, and motivates him to give some of the most sensational performances in the world of martial arts.

“I am absolutely motivated to think that I can fight for the title of ONE Championship. I look forward to that day. It would be a dream come true,” he adds.