Uzbek fighters surge to prominence in ONE Championship

Three Uzbek combat‑sport athletes are reshaping ONE Championship. Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev became Uzbekistan’s first ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion after a second‑round knockout in April, earning a six‑figure main‑roster contract and preparing for his first title defence.

Undefeated 23‑year‑old Muay Thai striker Aslamjon Ortikov will contest the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship on 26 June at The Inner Circle 20. A 24‑0 professional record and a US$100,000 contract position him to become the nation’s first ONE Muay Thai champion if he defeats Asadula Imangazaliev.

The next wave includes Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov, who remains unbeaten at 16‑0 in mixed martial arts and is poised for further advancement. All three rose rapidly through the ONE Friday Fights series, securing lucrative six‑figure deals and highlighting Uzbekistan’s emergence as a dominant force in multiple ONE disciplines.