5 Things You Might Not Know About Alibeg Rasulov

Opportunity only had to knock once on Alibeg Rasulov’s door.

The unbeaten Turkey-based Russian will make his anticipated ONE Championship debut when he faces Rae Yoon Ok for the interim lightweight title in the ONE on Prime Video 23 main event this Friday at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. A unification bout with incumbent champion Christian Lee figures to await the winner later this year. Rasulov carries a perfect 14-0 record into his first assignment with the Chatri Sityodtong-led company. He last competed on Dec. 16, when he took a three-round unanimous decision from Cezary Oleksiejczuk at Khan Fight 3.

As Rasulov approaches his high-stakes showdown with the brick-fisted Ok, here are five things you might not know about him:

1. A fertile combat sports region served as his springboard.

Rasulov was born on Dec. 1, 1992 in Leninkent, a Russian village on the outskirts of Makhachkala—the capital of the Republic of Dagestan and a full-contact fighting mecca. Its close proximity to the Caspian Sea and its low latitude result in relatively mild winters when compared to the rest of the country, though temperatures there have dipped as low as -16°F.

2. He rubs shoulders with the right people.

The 31-year-old lightweight operates out of the Hyperion Fighters camp in Bursa, Turkey. Ultimate Fighting Championship veterans Shamil Gamzatov and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev are among those who have passed through its doors. Rasulov has also spent time training with the well-regarded Gorets Fight Club in his native Russia.

3. His talents are in demand.

Rasulov made his professional debut at the age of 20 on Sept. 2, 2013 and took a unanimous decision from Asalbek Kalandarov under the Open Dag Fighting Championship banner. He has since suited up for nine other organizations: M-1 Global, Fight Nights Global, Grand European Fighting Championship, Golden Team Championship, Absolute Championship Akhmat, Gorilla Fighting Championships, Game Company Entertainment, Universal Fighters League and Khan Fight.

4. Potent offensive skills tip his spear.

The well-traveled Rasulov boasts 10 finishes—six knockouts and four submissions—among his 14 career wins, having recorded six of them inside one round. He nailed down his fastest stoppage at an M-1 Global show in 2017, when he needed just 43 seconds to dispose of Ivan Safonov with a kimura.

5. His resume lends credence to his credibility.

Rasulov posted a decision victory over current Bellator MMA welterweight champion Ramazan Kuramagomedov in a Dec. 5, 2015 exhibition match at a Russian MMA Union event. Kuramagomedov owns a 13-0 record as a pro and upset Jason Jackson for Bellator gold at 170 pounds in the Bellator Champions Series 3 main event on June 22.