Amir Khan Replaces Ariel Sexton In Lightweight World Grand Prix
Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev has a new opponent for his ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix semi-final match at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON.
The Turkish finishing machine was scheduled to face Ariel “Tarzan” Sexton at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, but the Costa Rican submission specialist had to withdraw due to a broken arm.
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Instead, “The Lion City’s” own Amir Khan will step up to fill the void and challenge the 24-year-old mixed martial arts powerhouse on Friday, 17 May.
Khan is no stranger to high-profile matches – the Evolve representative challenged for the ONE Lightweight World Title in the main event of ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS last November – so he had no hesitation in accepting a bout against one of The Home Of Martial Arts’ most dangerous competitors.
All of “Dagi’s” victories as a professional athlete have come by way of stoppage, and only one of those came outside the first round.
The Azerbaijan No-Gi Grappling Champion booked his place in the second stage of the World Grand Prix with a 25-second knockout of Ev “E.T.” Ting in the quarter-finals.
His new opponent is also renowned for his finishing prowess. Khan has earned all but one of his 11 victories inside the distance, including eight by knockout – a record on the global stage for martial arts.
Given these warriors’ histories, it would be safe to bet that this match will not go the judges’ scorecards on 17 May.
The winner will move on to face either Lowen Tynanes or Timofey Nastyukhin, who will face off on the other side of the tournament bracket in the coming months.
