5 Defining Traits Of MMA Star Shamil Gasanov’s Elite Grappling Game
Russian star Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov will soon put his #5 featherweight MMA ranking on the line when he battles Ecuadorian sensation Aaron “Tommy Gun” Canarte at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video.
That pivotal showdown is set for Friday, August 2, live in U.S. primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
For Gasanov, that contest will be another chance to showcase his elite ground skills and solidify himself as a serious threat to reigning ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai.
Before he looks to improve his 14-1 career record, we take a closer look at what makes “The Cobra” such a dangerous submission specialist.
#1 The Versatile Front Headlock
Being trapped in Gasanov’s front headlock is a terrifying place to be.
Whether he snaps his opponent down into the position or finds himself there after defending a takedown, the Russian is a master at controlling and punishing his foe with the headlock.
Importantly, this position gives Gasanov several avenues of attack. First, he can hunt for the choke directly, with several guillotine-choke finishes on his record.
If his opponent defends that attempt, he can spin to back control – arguably the most dominant position in MMA – and attack from there.
Finally, he can use ONE’s global rule set to his advantage and bomb away with vicious knees to his opponent’s head.
The 28-year-old utilized this approach with devastating results in his July 2023 battle with former ONE World Title challenger and current #2 contender Garry Tonon, nearly finishing the American early with a torrent of blows from the front headlock position.
#2 The Unstoppable Double-Leg Takedown
While it might not be the flashiest move in his repertoire, Gasanov possesses a seemingly unstoppable double-leg takedown, scoring one in all three of his ONE Championship bouts so far.
Given his lifetime of training in Dagestani wrestling, it’s no surprise that “The Cobra” is a world-class takedown artist, but what makes his bread-and-butter takedown so effective is the myriad of ways in which he can finish it.
Gasanov is excellent at chaining together wrestling techniques, from trips to throws to off-balances and slams – all with the goal of eventually putting his man on the canvas.
Simply put, once he’s in on a double leg, the takedown is essentially guaranteed.
#3 The Show-Stopping Rear-Naked Choke
The Rostov-on-Don resident boasts four rear-naked choke finishes across his 15-bout professional career, and this remains his most dangerous way of finishing a fight.
Because he is such a relentless top-position grappler, Gasanov often forces his opponent to expose their back, which is exactly what he wants.
An expert finisher with a crushing squeeze, the Russian used this exact technique in his promotional debut when he submitted then-#2-ranked featherweight MMA contender Kim Jae Woong in dominant fashion.
#4 Powerful Mat Returns
Gasanov’s brand of grappling is particularly draining for his opponent because, even if they can work their way back to the feet, he is happy to send them crashing back to the canvas with a massive mat return.
“The Cobra’s” one-sided beating of Kim serves as a perfect example. In that fight, the South Korean was able to bounce back to his feet on multiple occasions, but each time, Gasanov lifted him high and slammed him back down with terrifying power.
This rinse-and-repeat method of grappling quickly exhausts his rival and is a brutal display of physical superiority.
#5 A Strong Get-Up Game
A wrestler at heart, the Russian rarely finds himself in the bottom position. However, if he’s ever on his back during a fight, he’s practically impossible to hold down.
Notably, because he is so confident in his ability to return to his feet, Gasanov is happy to take chances in pursuit of the finish.
In his recent victory over talented South Korean athlete Oh Ho Taek, “The Cobra” felt free to put himself in the bottom position – only to immediately explode up to his feet.
