Alex Roberts still has his eye on a ONE Muay Thai World Title, and his path back to the top begins at ONE Fight Night 71 on July 27.
That night, “The Viking” is set to face explosive Russian Beybulat Isaev in a light heavyweight Muay Thai showdown at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The hulking Perth native made his ONE debut in December, when he took on Ukrainian superstar Roman Kryklia for the inaugural ONE heavyweight Muay Thai world title.
Unfortunately, Roberts was knocked out in the second round after making a bright start to the contest.
Now, he’ll return to his favoured light heavyweight division and there, the 35-year-old former WBC heavyweight Muay Thai world champion knows he’ll have his hands full with Isaev.
“He’s been around a while. I’ve watched most of his fights because, I obviously watch all of the other ONE cards. So, obviously he’s a great kickboxer and he’s got very nice clean hands as well. But you know, I don’t think he’s fought Muay Thai for a while. So, it’ll be interesting to see how he adapts with the elbows in the clinch. I think that I’ve got all the tools to take him apart,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity to really make a run back at it, because my goal is to fight Roman [Kryklia] again. I need to get that one back just for myself and for the ego. We’ve got to get back in there and run it back on a full camp. So, the first step is getting the wins on ONE Friday Fights.”
Isaev is a veteran of the ONE Championship stage.
The 30-year-old knockout artist has been a staple of the lightweight kickboxing world, although his roots are in Muay Thai and he has fought under the ruleset through the early part of his 23-6 career.
His ONE tenure has been a mixed bag but most recently, he defeated Yuri Farcas by unanimous decision this past January.
There is currently no ONE light heavyweight Muay Thai world title as it currently stands, but the winner of this fight can thrust their name right to the front of the queue if the promotion does decide to mint a new 26-pound gold belt for the division.
ONE Friday Fights 72 Full Card
Flyweight Muay Thai: Kongsuk Fairtex vs. Joachim Ouraghi
Catchweight (126lb) Muay Thai: Theptaksin Sor Sornsing vs. Jelte Blommaert
Catchweight (142lb) Muay Thai: Thongsiam Lookjaoporongtom vs. Pentor SP Kansart Paeminburi
Catchweight (118lb) Muay Thai: Paeyim Sor Boonmerit vs. Methee Sor Sor Toipadriew
Catchweight (122lb) Muay Thai: Petnamkhong Mongkolpet vs. Lookkwan Sujeebameekiew
Catchweight (128lb) Muay Thai: Songpandin Chor Kaewwiset vs. Muanglao Kiattongyot
International Card
Light Heavyweight Muay Thai: Alex Roberts vs. Beybulat Isaev
Strawweight Muay Thai: Freddie Haggerty vs. Kaichon Sor Yingcharoenkarnchang
Catchweight (122lb) Muay Thai: Majid Karimi vs. Pataknin Sinbimuaythai
Catchweight (128lb) Kickboxing: Akif Guluzada vs. Haruto Yasumoto
Lightweight MMA: Will Drewitt vs. Sumit Bhyan
Lightweight Submission Grappling: Banpot Lertthaisong vs. Craig Hutchison
