Elbek Alyshov Calls His Wrestling the Best in MMA Ahead of The Inner Circle 24 Title Fight
Undefeated Azerbaijani-Russian submission specialist Elbek Alyshov is ready to introduce himself to the world at the highest level.
The 27-year-old challenges reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Enkh-Orgil "The Tormentor" Baatarkhuu in the main event of The Inner Circle 24. It will stream exclusively via live.onefc.com from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 31.
Alyshov arrives with a perfect 10-0 career record and a 2-0 ONE mark, with both promotional victories coming via submission against Jeremy Pacatiw and Carlo Bumina-ang.
His martial arts foundation was built across over 400 judo and sambo tournaments before he made his professional MMA debut at 18 years old in 2017. He would join Team Chingiz Allazov with the grappling credentials of a fighter who has spent his entire life on the mat.
Alyshov Has Done His Homework on Baatarkhuu
Alyshov has studied the champion carefully and arrived at a detailed breakdown of what makes Baatarkhuu a unique and dangerous defending titleholder. The challenger's respect for the opponent across from him is genuine and specific.
"He throws very unorthodox strikes and uses a wide variety of attacks. In grappling, he is very dangerous with submissions. He looks for the finish until the very last second. He always takes the center. There has never been a fight in which he backed up. It has never happened," Alyshov said.
Baatarkhuu made history as the second Mongolian to win ONE World Title gold when he submitted Fabricio Andrade last December, and his 7-1 ONE record with five finishes makes him one of the division's most dangerous submission specialists.
Alyshov Says He’s the Best Wrestler in All of MMA Across Every Promotion
Alyshov's confidence in his wrestling game is not a prefight boast. It is a conviction rooted in over 400 competitive judo and sambo tournaments, as well as a flawless professional MMA career. The 27-year-old has made his position in the global wrestling hierarchy very clear.
"I believe that my wrestling is the best in MMA – not only in ONE Championship, but across all organizations. I know every movement, I think several steps ahead, and I am very cunning. I also feel that I am well-rounded, and when it comes to wrestling in MMA, there is no one else like me," he explained.
The champion's unorthodox striking and relentless forward pressure give him tools to keep Alyshov honest on the feet, but the challenger believes no one on the planet can match him once the fight hits the ground.
Alyshov Promises a Warrior's Performance
Alyshov has saved his most vivid description of what July 31 will look like for his final message to the fans. The challenger has framed his title fight appearance in terms that capture the spirit of the man behind the perfect record.
"It feels like something from an ancient Greek war. On July 31, the fans will see Elbek go all the way for victory. He will stand his ground, and the people will see a warrior – a warrior who came here to win," he said.
An undefeated challenger who has competed in over 400 tournaments since childhood and made his professional debut as a teenager does not arrive at a world title fight with anything left to prove in terms of commitment. What happens when two unbeaten submission specialists who both refuse to back up share the ring on July 31 is the question Lumpinee Stadium will answer.
Watch The Inner Circle 24 exclusively on live.onefc.com beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT.
