Shamil Gasanov has carried the sting of defeat for over a yr, and now the Dagestani destroyer lastly has his likelihood at redemption. The featherweight contender’s burning need for vengeance towards Garry Tonon has fueled each coaching session since their first encounter led to heartbreak.
The 29-year-old Gasanov faces Tonon at ONE Struggle Evening 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Presently ranked third within the featherweight MMA division, Gasanov enters the co-main occasion using a four-fight profitable streak.
The dangerous blood traces again to ONE Struggle Evening 12 in July 2023, the place Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Tonon crushed Gasanov’s undefeated streak with a second-round kneebar submission. That painful reminiscence has haunted “The Cobra” ever since, remodeling him into a person possessed with settling the rating. In the meantime, the loss marked the primary blemish on his skilled MMA report.
Subsequently, Gasanov has restructured his total strategy for this high-stakes encounter. The Peresvet Struggle Staff product refuses to repeat the defensive errors that price him their preliminary assembly. His coaching camp has mirrored this new philosophy, as he has doubled down on his grappling preparation.
Nevertheless, Gasanov believes his opponent’s fame could also be overblown past grappling. He acknowledges the risk Tonon’s submission recreation poses and has made vital changes accordingly.
“After shedding to Tonon the primary time, I’ve all the time wished to return again as quickly as doable to get one other combat with Garry,” he stated.
“Regardless of shedding, truthfully, aside from his grappling, he didn’t present the rest in that combat,” he stated.
