Aslamjon Ortikov Reveals His Brother Sold His Car to Send Him to Thailand to Chase His Dream
Undefeated Uzbek phenom Aslamjon “El Pantera” Ortikov has opened up about the family sacrifices that made his World Title shot possible.
The 23-year-old fights for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship in the main event of The Inner Circle 20 on Friday, June 26, streaming live on live.onefc.com.
Two of the most dangerous unbeaten strikers on the planet collide in Bangkok, with whoever keeps their perfect record intact walking away as the division's new king.
Ortikov's opponent, Russian knockout machine Asadula Imangazaliev, brings a 12-0 career record to the main event, along with global recognition from MMA commentator Joe Rogan as potentially the best striker alive.
“El Pantera” is just as dangerous and brings twice the competition experience. His 24-0 career record includes 13 finishes, and his perfect 10-0 ONE mark has been built on dismantling every opponent the promotion has placed in front of him. A victory on June 26 would make him Uzbekistan's first-ever ONE Muay Thai World Champion.
Ortikov's Brother Changed the Course of His Life
Ortikov's journey to a World Title fight did not begin with a grand plan.
The Uzbek striker was an active, sports-loving child who had not yet found his calling until a single trip to the gym with his brother pointed him in the right direction.
"I was an active kid, to be honest. I really liked sports, but I didn't know what kind of sport I wanted to do until my brother brought me to the gym for the first time," Ortikov said.
That first visit set everything in motion. Ortikov's path has been defined by the direction his brother gave him as a child and the relentless work he has put in since. His 24-0 record is the proof that the gym visit his brother suggested was the best decision either of them ever made.
Ortikov's Family Sacrificed Everything to Make His Dream a Reality
The support behind Ortikov's career has gone far beyond encouragement.
Ortikov’s family poured everything they had into giving him the platform to compete at the highest level, and his brother's sacrifice stands as the single most defining act of faith in the journey that brought him to Bangkok.
"My brother sold his car to send me here so I could train and achieve my dream. My parents and my two brothers did everything for me. They sacrificed their time, their money, and everything," he explained.
That kind of sacrifice reshapes the meaning of a World Title fight. Every finished opponent, every perfect scorecard, and every step closer to the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship has been built on a foundation of family investment that goes well beyond anything that happens inside the ring.
Ortikov Told Himself One Day He Would Become a Champion
Long before he arrived in Thailand, Ortikov already knew where he wanted to end up. The ONE Championship brand reached him in Uzbekistan, planting a dream that has guided every training session.
"When I came to Thailand, I already knew about ONE Championship. Even when I was in Uzbekistan, I knew about ONE Championship, so my dream was to win the belt. I told myself, 'One day, I'm going to become a champion,' and now I'm finally fighting for the belt," he said.
That self-belief, backed by a family that bet everything on him and a 10-0 ONE record that has validated every sacrifice, arrives at its most important test on June 26.
Watch The Inner Circle 20 exclusively on live.onefc.com beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT.
