‘I Came To ONE To Be The Best’ – Abdulla Dayakaev Predicts Statement Win Over Saemapetch
Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev isn’t just looking for a victory in his hotly anticipated U.S. primetime debut at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Prime Video – he’s hunting for a statement knockout.
On May 2 in U.S. primetime, the Russian phenom will square off with decorated Thai veteran Saemapetch Fairtex in a high-stakes bantamweight Muay Thai showdown at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
After racking up six wins and four spectacular finishes at the ONE Friday Fights event series, Dayakaev secured a US$100,000 contract and a spot on ONE’s main roster.
Those performances – marked by his ruthless aggression and show-stopping power – garnered him legions of new fans. He is now determined to erase any doubts that he belongs among ONE’s elite strikers.
While some athletes might be intimidated by Saemapetch’s long-standing reputation as a championship-caliber fighter, Dayakaev isn’t one of them.
The 22-year-old told onefc.com:
“If I wasn’t confident, I’d be sitting at home. I came to ONE to be the best – no matter who the opponent is.”
Dayakaev’s unforgettable knockouts at ONE Friday Fights cemented him as one of the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s most dangerous finishers.
His aggressive, boxing-focused style and thunderous punching power have quickly made him a fan favorite, but he believes he has even more to show against former ONE World Title challenger Saemapetch:
“[I want to prove] that I truly earned this contract. It wasn’t by luck or a fluke.”
Although Saemapetch is a seasoned veteran with a significant experience edge on the global stage of martial arts, Dayakaev believes his own advantages are clearly evident.
With ONE Fight Night 31 rapidly approaching, he’s loaded with confidence and eager to turn heads:
“[My advantages are] youth and hunger. [I bring] aggression from the very first second – always!
“I see it ending with a stoppage win for me.”
Dayakaev Motivated To Crash The Rankings
Abdulla Dayakaev’s matchup with Saemapetch Fairtex represents more than just another fight – it’s a potential gateway into ONE’s official bantamweight Muay Thai rankings.
Although the Thai isn’t currently ranked, he spent years in the division’s top five, boasting notable victories over the likes of Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai, Rodlek PK Saenchai, and Mohamed Younes Rabah.
Given Saemapetch’s lengthy list of accomplishments, it’s no surprise that Dayakaev sees this bout as a crucial stepping stone toward achieving his long-term goals in ONE:
“[What motivates me the most is] the fact that after this fight, I could be in the top five of my division.”
While he knows that Saemapetch is coming off a pair of difficult losses to top-five contenders, “Smash Boy” doesn’t expect an easy battle at Lumpinee Stadium.
At the same time, Dayakaev is only concerning himself with factors he can control, trusting in the training and dedication that brought him to the global stage:
“I think [his losses] make him more hungry. He’ll want to bounce back and start winning again.
“I’ve kept the same mindset and routine. Nothing’s changed in how I approach the grind.”
