Isi Fitikefu is riding back-to-back wins into his next opportunity at ONE Fight Night 31. To get a true winning streak going, he will need to knock off a former ONE Championship titleholder. “Doxz” will try to upend Zebaztian Kadestam in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, May 2.
STATEMENT MADE 💪 Isi Fitikefu snaps Hiroyuki Tetsuka’s five-fight win streak by unanimous decision!
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Isi Fitikefu Ready to Roll vs. Kadestam May 2 in Bangkok
While title contention may be in sight, Kadestam has the Tongan-Australian’s full focus. It is a match he has wanted since he signed on the dotted line. With the match on the horizon, Isi Fitikefu is happy to have his chance to prove himself against one of the faces of the division.
“When I first signed with ONE Championship, I had few people in my mind that I wanted to fight, and Zebaztian Kadestam was one of them because I knew he was one of the good guys in the division. And I’m willing to go out there and beat this guy,” Isi Fitikefu stated to ONE.
The gold is unquestionably a goal for “Doxz,” but it is just part of his journey. Fitikefu wants to compete against every elite welterweight in the world. Kadestam’s explosive abilities are just the cherry on top for Isi Fitikefu.
“I just want to beat the best guys. I want to beat the best guys ever. He’s one of the best – he’s a former champ. And he’s one of the best everywhere. He’s dangerous, and I like fights like that because it sort of excites me, makes you nervous but excited at the same time. Like, it gives you butterflies in your stomach because you know you’re gonna get the best. And when the test is higher, then you rise to the occasion as well,” the welterweight contender said.
Isi Fitikefu Doesn’t Have Time for People Who Don’t Think He’ll Win
Isi Fitikefu is not concerned with any doubters that he may have. The Tongan-Australian has all of the belief he needs in himself. After putting in the hard work alongside training partners such as Robert Whittaker, Fitikefu is supremely confident for ONE Fight Night 31.
“Every time I’m coming in, I’m coming bigger, better, faster, hungrier. My mentality has been always the same. It’s kill or be killed. And I’m not the one getting killed. I’m going to win. If it’s gonna be a decision, I’m gonna dominate. If it’s going to be a knockout, it’s me. If it’s a submission, it’s me. I have to be confident. I gotta believe in myself. That’s how I know I’m going to win,” Isi Fitikefu said.
For the camp, “Doxz” has been making sure he is working on every aspect of mixed martial arts. While he has a strong wrestling game, the rising star is more than willing to trade leather. Regardless of where the action goes, Isi Fitikefu wants to be prepared.
“I’m going to be a real mixed martial artist. The sport is mixed martial arts. It’s not just striking, not just grappling. I want to make it exciting just as much as I want to beat this guy, as well,” the Aussie remarked.
Isi Fitikefu Ready for Challenging Kadestam Fight May 2
On May 2, Isi Fitikefu knows he will be in for a tough match against the ever-tough Swedish star. But that is exactly what he signed up for. At ONE Fight Night 31, Fitikefu hopes his confidence and hard work will lead him to become one of the top contenders by dispatching the former ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion.
“He’s good everywhere. But like I always say, he’s good, but I’m better. I know I am better. I believe in it. If no one believes that, as long as I believe in myself and I do what I have to do out there, I know I’m gonna win. I know in this sport I gotta mix it up, hit them hard, mix up the grappling, mix it up. Nonstop pressure. And I know he’s gonna come with his A-game. He’s tricky. Totally tricky but he’s good, but I’m better. Like I always say, every fight, they’re good, but I’m better,” Fitikefu commented.
ONE Fight Night 31 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, May 2. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
