5 Fast Facts About Muay Thai Phenom Akif Guluzada Ahead Of His Return At ONE Fight Night 36
The Azerbaijani prodigy meets #5-ranked Jaosuayai on October 3 in live Bangkok, Thailand.
By Fachrul Sidiq
Sep 14, 2025, 04:00 UTC
The flyweight Muay Thai division will heat up when Akif “King” Guluzada collides with #5-ranked contender Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi at ONE Fight Night 36: Prajanchai vs. Di Bella II, which airs live in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 3, from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
At just 20 years old, Guluzada has already carved out a reputation as one of the most promising young strikers on the global stage. The Azerbaijani phenom stormed through the ONE Friday Fights weekly series with three consecutive victories to earn the life-changing main roster contract.
Now undefeated in ONE Championship and facing a dangerous Thai knockout artist, Guluzada has the chance to propel himself into the flyweight Muay Thai rankings.
Before his biggest test to date, here are five fast facts about the man they call “King.”
#1 He Began Competing At A Young Age
Guluzada got started in martial arts when he was still a kid. He fought often, piling up matches before most teenagers even think about going pro.
By 15, he was already competing professionally and had more than 200 junior and amateur bouts.
That background explains a lot. Even now, at only 20, he doesn’t freeze under pressure. He looks comfortable against veterans and doesn’t seem out of place in high-level competition.
Instead of appearing overwhelmed under the bright lights, Guluzada thrives. He applies his combinations calmly, adapts to different styles, and shows a fight IQ that belies his age.
#2 He Is Undefeated In ONE Championship
Guluzada quickly rose to prominence in the ONE Friday Fights weekly spectacle.
His second promotional outing saw him dispatch Samingdam NF Looksuan, but his life-changing moment came just weeks later when he faced Puengluang Baanramba.
That night, Guluzada landed a spinning back elbow that dropped Puengluang hard. The knockout spread quickly online and earned him a US$100,000 contract with ONE Championship.
The result moved him to the main roster before turning 20. He has stayed unbeaten since then, most recently outpointing Filipino-American striker Sean Climaco at ONE Fight Night 31 in May.
#3 His ‘King’ Nickname Defines His Confidence In The Ring
Fighters often get nicknames that reflect how they compete. For Guluzada, “King” was a name given by his coach after seeing the way he carried himself inside the ropes.
It was not about arrogance, but about presence – the way he walks forward, the way he controls the tempo, the way opponents seem to move to his rhythm rather than their own.
Guluzada explained:
“My coach gave me the nickname because I feel I am a king in the ring. It’s my home.”
#4 He Was Recognized As A Young Athlete Of The Year
In 2021, the world beyond the ring took notice. Guluzada was named Young Athlete of the Year at the Global Stars Awards in his homeland. It was a proud moment, but also a responsibility – proof that eyes were watching and expecting greatness.
He did not treat it as a finish line. For him, the award was fuel. It pushed him back into the gym, where he sharpened his weapons, tightened his resolve.
Today, that honor remains a milestone, not a memory. At 20, he still carries it as a reminder of how far he has traveled – from boyhood bouts to U.S. primetime, now standing across from a top-five rival.
He remembers how meaningful the honor was:
“That gave me a lot of motivation because I was young. Now I’m 20 years old. For me, it’s still very good motivation.”
#5 He’s An Attacker In And Out Of The Ring
Outside of martial arts, Guluzada enjoys soccer, where he usually plays as a striker. He likes to attack, stay busy, and go after goals.
That same mindset shows when he fights. He pushes forward, throws punches and kicks in bunches, and changes stance to throw rivals off.
The approach doesn’t change between sports. He wants to go first, pile on pressure, and make his rivals react. It’s a style that has kept him unbeaten in ONE, and it could be the key against Jaosuayai.
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