Abdelali Zahidi squares off against Marat Grigorian in a 159-pound catchweight contest, but it still offers the Moroccan a prime opportunity on the global stage. The ONE Championship kickboxing war goes down at ONE Friday Fights 92 in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, December 20. Zahidi knows if he knocks off the #2-ranked featherweight contender, he will be an instant force within the division.
ONE FC Fighter Abdelali Zahidi Prefight Comments
“Facing Marat is not just another fight, but a chance to prove that I am the best. Grigorian is strong and has great experience, but I think he relies on one fighting style. I hope I can use this to my advantage,” Zahidi told ONE.
Grigorian is one of the pound-for-pound elite, and he has been competing against the division’s upper echelon for years. It has given him up and down results as of late. To test the Armenian’s mettle, Zahidi plans to keep a high tempo while pressing forward.
BIG-GAME HUNTING 🏆 Fresh off a spectacular head kick KO in his ONE debut, Moroccan rising star Abdelali Zahidi steps up to face second-ranked featherweight kickboxing contender Marat Grigorian on December 20 at ONE Friday Fights 92! Can "Black Diamond" upset the Armenian legend?… pic.twitter.com/5gPsLdfAQg
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) November 30, 2024
“My game plan is to apply constant pressure on him, and I’ll be moving quickly and doing technical work to neutralize his fighting style and make it inefficient,” the Moroccan athlete remarked.
Abdelali Zahidi had an excellent ONE debut at ONE Friday Fights 88. The Moroccan defeated Tun Min Aung emphatically. However, this matchup is a huge step up in competition, but that is the very reason Zahidi is excited to step inside the ring on December 20.
“A win against Grigorian will put me in a place where I cannot be ignored on the world stage. A win will open the door for me to realize bigger dreams. The fight will end with my name announced as the winner. My plan is to capture a win that will amaze everyone,” the featherweight hopeful said.
The 25-year-old Abdelali Zahidi has been working tirelessly to prepare for one of the world’s best strikers. With Grigorian’s near-perfect technique, he has been trying to shore up all areas of his game. The dedicated fight camp means that no matter what else happens in Bangkok, the world will see the best version of Zahidi to date.
“I am very happy with my first win via KO. But there is always room for improvement, especially in defense,” Zahidi offered.
Abdelali Zahidi Hungry for a W
This is the moment that Abdelali Zahidi has been clamoring for, and it is why he came to ONE. His mission goes beyond the win column. At ONE Friday Fights 92, the Moroccan talent gets his first chance against the division’s top tier to prove he belongs and start a journey that could have ripple effects throughout his home country.
“My objective is to become the face of combat sports. I want to prove that Moroccan fighters can leave a unique, unforgettable mark on kickboxing,” Zahidi said.
Fight Time, Location, How to Watch
ONE Friday Fights 92 airs live on Friday, December 20. The action begins at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST. The event is free on ONE’s official YouTube channel.
