Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev: 'I Am Ready For The World Title'

Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev is focused on one thing – the ONE Lightweight World Title.

However, despite his five outstanding stoppage wins in The Home Of Martial Arts, he competes in possibly the promotion’s most stacked division, and the path to the top was not clear.

That all changed with the announcement of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix, which continues next Friday, 22 February at ONE: CALL TO GREATNESS, with “Dagi” in one of the quarter-finals.

The 24-year-old knows that if he can get past Ev “E.T.” Ting, he will move on to challenge either Amir Khan or Ariel “Tarzan” Sexton in the semi-finals, who will face off on the same night in the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Beyond that, there would only be one more match between him and tournament gold, and a guaranteed shot at the World Title.

Ahead of his assault on the bracket, which features eight of the world’s best martial artists, the resident of Istanbul, Turkey shared his thoughts on his upcoming opponent and his path to glory through the World Grand Prix.

ONE Championship: How excited are you to face Ev Ting?

Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev: I am excited to come back and show my skills on the world stage.

My goal is a World Title. I’ve always said that, so if this fight brings me one step closer to my goal, I am excited.

ONE: Do you feel stressed or nervous in the run-up to the big day?

SGA: I don’t feel stressed or nervous, I am a fighter and mixed martial arts is my sport. I love what I do – I can’t wait to step inside the cage.

To be honest, I am not very patient, so I don’t like waiting for too long, so the day of my next fight can’t come soon enough.

ONE: What does competing in the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix mean to you?

SGA: I am a fighter, so every fight is important. It’s an opportunity to get my name out there, to practice my sport. Maybe it will help to advance my career in ONE Championship.

I am trying to do everything I can, ONE Championship bosses can see it, so this fight will see me show once again that I am a worthy candidate for a title fight. 

ONE: Do you think you have a clear path to victory against Ev Ting?

SGA: Ev Ting is a good opponent. He is a well-rounded fighter, so I am ready to face him both in stand-up and on the ground.

I haven’t noted any weaknesses in his game – the day of the fight will show it all.

ONE: Do you think you are the favorite to win this match?

SGA: Ev Ting might be better known in Asia, but I hope that mixed martial arts fans have already got to know me a bit, and there will be some support for me, too.

At the end of the day, I go into the cage to put on a good fight and to be my best self. Yes, I always hope for the win, but I am not chasing it.

ONE: Where are you getting ready for the match?

SGA: I am training in Phuket, at Tiger Muay Thai And MMA in Chalong, where many strong fighters train.

My friend Marat Gafurov, former ONE World Champion, is in Phuket, too, and many other great guys from Dagestan and all over the world.

ONE: What do you think about the ONE Lightweight World GP and how the bracket is set up?

SGA: It’s an interesting concept, but I am not looking too deep into its details. Sadly, fighting in the Grand Prix means I have to do at least two fights before I can fight for the title.

Let me have the first fight in the Grand Prix, and I will tell you exactly what I think about it. In my last bout, I beat Timofey Nastyukhin, who previously beat both Eduard Folayang and Amir Khan.

In the semi-finals, I might face Amir Khan. Don’t get me wrong, I will fight anyone, but it looks like I will fight someone who lost to the guy I had already beaten. I want to fight guys who are ranked higher than me.

ONE: If you win on 22 February, who do you think you will face next – Khan or Sexton?

SGA: Amir Khan has a very good name for himself in Asia, but still I would prefer to fight Ariel Sexton. I think he is a stronger fighter, who is likely to beat Khan. I don’t mind fighting either of them, though.