‘One Of Us Is Going Down’ – Aslamjon Ortikov Promises Explosive Finish Against Asadula Imangazaliev At The Inner Circle 20
Two unbeaten phenoms collide for flyweight Muay Thai gold at The Inner Circle 20 this Friday.
By Fachrul Sidiq
Jun 24, 2026, 11:28 UTC
Aslamjon “El Pantera” Ortikov has torn through the opposition without a single blemish on his record, converting two dozen professional fights into two dozen spectacular victories. That unbroken, meteoric ascent has now led him directly to an opponent carving an equally merciless path.
On Friday, June 26, Ortikov will collide with fellow undefeated phenom Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle 20.
The blockbuster card airs live in Asia primetime from the fabled walls of Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, exclusively via live.onefc.com.
Together, these two elite strikers bring a combined 36-0 record and 22 devastating finishes into the marquee matchup. One man will leave with 26 pounds of gold and his perfect slate intact. The other will experience the bitter taste of defeat for the very first time.
For Ortikov, those highly combustible ingredients point toward one inevitable outcome — an unforgettable war.
Ortikov told onefc.com:
“We are both still undefeated, and neither of us has been knocked down. This fight is going to be really crazy.
“One of us is going to be knocked down, and it’s not going to be me.”
Ortikov arrives at his first ONE World Title challenge after winning all 10 of his appearances in the world’s largest martial arts organization. That flawless run includes eight impressive victories on the ONE Friday Fights circuit, earning him a life-changing six-figure contract and a definitive place on the ONE Championship main roster.
His latest triumph came against Colombian sensation Jordan “Panda Kick” Estupinan, whom the Uzbek meticulously stopped to secure this upcoming World Title opportunity.
The composed performance proved that Ortikov can seamlessly pair his natural aggression with discipline and patience. He believes that exact same ability to read a fight will be crucial against Imangazaliev.
Ortikov explained:
“My plan was to check him in the first round, see what he could do, and understand how he felt the distance.
“Then, in the second round, I would do my job and knock him out. It was our plan to finish him, and we did the job.”
His next assignment carries far greater, historic stakes. A victory would make Ortikov the first-ever Uzbek athlete to capture a ONE Muay Thai World Title, fulfilling the lifelong dream that convinced him to leave his homeland and build his career from the ground up in Thailand.
Both contenders are completely accustomed to controlling the action, imposing their preferred range, and leaving the ring victorious. Neither has ever had to deal with defeat, and neither will willingly surrender the immense momentum that carried them to the division’s vacant throne.
Ortikov believes that shared certainty will prevent either man from settling for a cautious, point-fighting affair.
The TC Muaythai and Sport Club Shakhriyor representative said:
“This is the biggest fight in the flyweight division because both of us are undefeated. I believe this fight is going to be Fight of the Year.
“I don’t think this fight is going to finish by decision. I’m going to do everything to knock him out.”
Ortikov Unmoved By Imangazaliev’s Fearsome Reputation
At The Inner Circle 20, Aslamjon Ortikov’s supreme confidence will be tested by one of the most dynamic and terrifying strikers in the sport today.
Legendary commentator Joe Rogan has previously suggested that Asadula Imangazaliev may very well be “the best striker alive,” and the Russian’s flawless career offers highly compelling support for that massive praise.
“The Dagestan Ninja” owns an unblemished 12-0 record with nine finishes. His long-range kicks, elusive movement, and blinding spinning attacks have repeatedly left elite opponents completely unable to settle into their preferred rhythm.
Ortikov does not dismiss those incredible accomplishments or question his rival’s rightful place in this World Title matchup. He simply refuses to be overwhelmed by them.
The Uzbek fighter stated:
“Asadula is a really good fighter. If he wasn’t good, he wouldn’t be here fighting for the title.
“He has really good skills and a different style, not the usual style. But I don’t think about the other stuff. I know why I came here. I just have to achieve my dream.”
Imangazaliev’s length has caused major problems for every single opponent he has encountered. Most recently, he viciously knocked out Thai living legend Nong-O Hama in the second round of their ONE Friday Fights 147 showdown this past March.
However, because he narrowly missed weight while hydrated, the 22-year-old was rendered ineligible to claim the vacant flyweight Muay Thai crown that night.
Ortikov firmly believes his blazing speed and superior footwork will allow him to safely navigate those long-range weapons. Rather than remain trapped at the end of the Russian’s heavy kicks, the Uzbek plans to use his kinetic movement to control the distance, defend against the unusual angles, and aggressively create openings for his own devastating arsenal.
“El Pantera” explained:
“I believe in my skills. I know I have good speed and good footwork, and I believe I can defend against his long weapons.
“My speed and my footwork are better. I’m going to use everything in this fight. I’m going to use every weapon to win.”
The undefeated Uzbek also believes his unique combination of experience, suffocating forward pressure, and finishing ability represents something entirely new for Imangazaliev.
While the Russian has overcome decorated names including Kongthoranee Sor Sommai and “The Angel Warrior” Panpayak Jitmuangnon, Ortikov remains certain that none of them presented the exact same blend of dangerous attributes he will carry into Lumpinee Stadium.
He concluded:
“He has a good winning streak. He beat Nong-O and Kongthoranee, but he never faced someone like me.
“I’m better than him because of my speed, my power, and my pressure.”
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