‘This Will Be An Easy Fight’ – Elbrus Osmanov Confident He Will Steamroll Saemapetch At ONE Friday Fights 125
The Russian star is heading into his next fight on September 19 in Bangkok, Thailand looking to make a statement.
By Chris Mohan
Sep 18, 2025, 10:03 UTC
Russian standout Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov will step into the main event spotlight of ONE Friday Fights 125 in search of his second consecutive victory, and the 24-year-old is confident he can put together another spectacular performance.
On Friday, September 19, live in Asia primetime from Bangkok, Thailand, Osmanov will square off against grizzled veteran Saemapetch Fairtex in a highly anticipated bantamweight Muay Thai contest. “The Samurai” understands he’s in for a tough test, but one that he believes he will pass with flying colors.
The explosive Dagestani striker burst onto the scene in ONE Championship with an impressive six-fight winning streak, but he suffered a harsh reality check in a unanimous decision loss to former K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza this past May.
Despite the defeat, Osmanov picked up valuable lessons from the experience. Before long, he bounced back with a vicious first-round knockout of Kampeetewada Sitthikul at ONE Friday Fights 117 just two months later.
Reflecting on how that loss to Yoza transformed him, Osmanov shared:
“I feel like no one can beat me because of that experience. After my loss, I thought about everything, my training and my discipline, and I changed some things. I started doing things better.
“It wasn’t a loss, it was a huge lesson for me. I think if we meet again, I will beat him 100 percent.”
A potential rematch against Yoza, who will face ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek in a bantamweight kickboxing tilt at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri, can happen if Osmanov finally books that elusive US$100,000 contract and a spot on ONE’s main roster.
Turning that dream into reality starts with “The Samurai” getting past Saemapetch, a former ONE World Title challenger who brings years of elite-level experience to their headliner at ONE Friday Fights 125.
Despite the high stakes of this matchup, the Team Mehdi Zatout and Akhmat Kickboxing affiliate envisions everything going according to plan against the 127-win Thai veteran:
“Every night before I go to sleep, I imagine the moment that I’d get the ONE contract. It’s a big moment for me. I’ll take the contract and say, ‘Let’s go. I’m in the game.’ I want to be a part of the ONE family. That is my dream.”
Of course, there’s no better way for him to secure that life-changing deal than by adding another highlight-reel knockout to his resume.
With a burning desire to continue showcasing his evolution as a fighter and to join Russia’s finest stars on the global stage, Osmanov believes he will get his hand raised inside the distance and move to 14-1 in his career.
“The Samurai” told onefc.com:
“I think it’s all about hunger and the fire inside. I have more fire inside, I’m hungrier than him. I think this will be an easy fight for me. I will make him sleep, 100 percent.”
Osmanov Dissects Saemapetch’s World-Class Arsenal
Elbrus Osmanov has conducted an extensive study of Saemapetch’s recent performances, and he believes he’s identified critical flaws that will lead to his opponent’s downfall at ONE Friday Fights 125.
The Dagestani warrior acknowledges the Thai veteran’s pedigree but sees an opportunity to further his career at the expense of an established name.
Osmanov offered:
“For weaknesses, in his last three fights, he lost by knockout. I think his chin is a weakness. As for his dangerous points, being a southpaw, he has a good right hand.
“Saemapetch is a really good fighter. But times have changed. The older fighters are giving way to young and fresh fighters, who are hungrier than he is.”
While “The Samurai” has the utmost respect for what Saemapetch has accomplished, the Russian is confident the psychological advantage belongs entirely to him.
Saemapetch will undoubtedly be seeking redemption after a heartbreaking three-match skid. Confidence, however, is as powerful a weapon as any, and Osmanov has unwavering belief in his ability to shatter his foe’s ambition.
Days out from their main event showdown on September 19, the Russian warned:
“I have big respect for Saemapetch. I’m going to hug him after the fight and say, ‘Thank you so much for everything,’ but a fight is a fight. It’s different. I think people know that when you go into the ring, you just kill or be killed. That’s it.
“Saemapetch, be ready for sleep. I’m hungry. I’m smarter. I’m younger. I have everything.”
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