Transformation Complete: How Chingiz Allazov Became The Pound-For-Pound Best Kickboxer In The World
Chingiz “Chinga” Allazov’s journey to the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title has been nothing short of exceptional, and now he gets to defend his belt at the famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Belarusian’s first assignment as the divisional king promises to be a fiery affair on Friday, 4 August, when he meets familiar foe and #2-ranked contender Marat Grigorian in the main event of ONE Fight Night 13 on Prime Video.
Allazov claimed the gold earlier this year after a stunning second-round knockout of Superbon Singha Mawynn, but his road to glory didn’t have a glamorous start.
A Derailed Debut
“Chinga’s” promotional entrance against Enriko Kehl in April 2021 brought with it high expectations. But what followed wasn’t the Allazov who fans had expected.
The 29-year-old lost a split-decision on that night, so he went back to the drawing board to devise a plan for the future, knowing he had to make mandatory changes.
Allazov said:
“After I lost to Enriko, I started focusing only on sports and family. I used to live in the middle. After the loss, I changed everything.
“For 20 years I had been training the same. I trained every day. I focused on training. But before fighting Enriko Kehl, we had this COVID situation for two years. My mindset was on my businesses and making money.”
But in order to get to the top of the most loaded division in all of combat sports, Allazov knew he’d have to focus solely on fighting.
The Awakening
What happened next was an epiphany for the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion. He decided to put his business interests to one side and focus on becoming the greatest to ever compete under kickboxing rules.
But in order to realize his true potential, he needed a little nudge from the person closest to him.
Allazov said:
“I sat with my coach, Andre. He said, ‘Chingiz, you could be one of the best fighters in the world, maybe #1 in the world, pound-for-pound. But you’ll never be the best if you don’t focus on the fighting.’ He said, ‘Please, trust me.’
“I stopped all my businesses, and I lost money. But this wasn’t a problem in my life. Money isn’t important. Money isn’t number one in my life.”
What is number one for Allazov is showcasing his skills to the world. After all, the saddest thing in life is wasted talent. Robert De Niro might’ve made that known in the 1993 classic “A Bronx Tale,” but the Belarusian bruiser made it known in ONE.
Allazov returned later that year to face iconic Samy Sana in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix quarterfinals and, in just 39 seconds, he became the first man in 152 bouts to stop the French-Algerian.
The Path Toward Divisional Gold
After surpassing Sana in the tournament, “Chinga” continued his undeniable form with a knockout of “Smokin'” Jo Nattawut in the semifinals.
He followed that up with a unanimous decision victory against legendary Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Final.
With the prestigious silver belt wrapped securely around his waist, Allazov turned his scope toward Superbon’s gold.
Then, in January of this year, “Chinga” fulfilled his destiny by defeating Superbon with a second-round knockout, solidifying himself as the pound-for-pound best kickboxer in the world.
It was a far cry from the Allazov of 2021, but he never once doubted his own abilities.
The Belarusian said:
“I became the #1 fighter in the world in kickboxing. After I beat Superbon, I beat all the best fighters.
“Before the Superbon fight, they said at the press conference that I was #2 in the world and Superbon was number one. I said, ‘Guys, don’t count me out.’
“I had eight months to prepare every day for that fight. My mind was on him every day. I shocked the world.”
From Undesirable To Undeniable
With the gold firmly around his waist, Allazov now has the opportunity to conquer the one thing he hasn’t yet been able to do — defeat Grigorian.
The rivals first met in a pair of outings 10 years ago. The first ended in a no-contest, and the second went to Grigorian by unanimous decision.
But with Allazov at the absolute peak of his career, he’s prepared to hunt down the one win that has alluded him for so long.
He said:
“This is life. Maybe you’re ready 100 percent for the fight, but God has another plan for you. Understand this life is dangerous. This is a real dangerous sport. For now, I am staying focused on Marat.”
