Lucas Gabriel is set to compete against Magomed Akaev in a lightweight mixed martial arts bout at ONE Fight Night 39, scheduled for Friday, January 24, within the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Initially, this contest was slated for ONE Fight Night 38 the previous weekend, but Akaev had to pull out due to an injury. Having now fully recovered, the formidable fighter from Dagestan will finally have his opportunity to face a Brazilian competitor who remains undefeated and has triumphed over three successive adversaries since securing a spot on the main roster.
Gabriel honed his abilities through ONE Friday Fights, developing a refined repertoire encompassing precise striking and dominant grappling. The 25-year-old secured a submission victory over the previously undefeated Gadzhimurad Amirzhanov via an arm-triangle choke in October 2024, elevating his professional record to 9-1 and firmly establishing himself among the top lightweight contenders.
His most recent fight, held in May at ONE Fight Night 31 against Zhang Lipeng, concluded as a no contest. Gabriel steps back into the cage hoping for a decisive victory and a showing that propels him further within a highly competitive weight class, where a single significant triumph can dramatically alter a fighter’s trajectory.
Magomed Akaev showcases formidable Dagestani knockout prowess
Magomed Akaev arrives having built an impressive resume from an unblemished 10-0 streak accomplished in his native country. Seven of these victories were finishes, illustrating the potent effectiveness characteristic of athletes from his area. His inaugural appearance under the promotion’s banner, opposite Ibragim Dauev at ONE Fight Night 32, concluded with an extremely narrow split decision defeat.
This slim defeat merely intensified his drive to compete. Akaev views this confrontation as a prime chance to make a significant impression that launches him directly into discussions for the championship. The postponement provided him with additional time to get ready, and he comes to Bangkok determined to end Gabriel’s unblemished record within the promotion.
The versatile fighting style of the Brazilian will encounter the relentless aggression characteristic of Dagestani fighters in a lightweight encounter poised to significantly alter the divisional hierarchy. Gabriel aims to demonstrate that his triumphs from ONE Friday Fights are replicable against top-tier opponents. Akaev, conversely, must demonstrate that his established supremacy in Russia extends effectively to the international platform.
A single competitor will depart Bangkok having gained significant impetus in their quest for the title. The other will be left contemplating the reasons behind their loss.
