The 29-year-old Azerbaijani earned a TKO victory over Komawut FA Group in his ONE Championship debut at ONE Friday Fights 120, stopping the Thai competitor in less than two rounds with punch combinations. The performance established Mammadov as a legitimate contender in the weekly series and positioned him for higher-profile matchups that could lead to a $100,000 main-roster contract.
Mammadov entered ONE Championship with a 12-3 professional record built primarily in kickboxing competition. His debut victory validated his decision to transition to ONE’s format and proved his skills translated effectively against experienced Thai opponents.
“I know. Nobody really believed in me, but I had to prove that I have something in me,” Mammadov said.
“I wanted to eliminate that doubt.”
The Team Mehdi Zatout representative has adapted quickly to ONE Championship’s 4-ounce gloves, a significant change from the larger gloves used in kickboxing competition. Mammadov views the smaller gloves as an advantage that showcases his punching technique and accuracy developed over 15 years of professional competition.
“Yes, I feel very comfortable in those 4-ounce gloves. I think they are perfect for me,” Mammadov said.
“I did professional kickboxing matches with big gloves for 15 years before this. When I saw these small gloves, I thought, ‘This is perfect for me.'”
The confidence stems from years of refining his boxing fundamentals and shot placement. Mammadov believes the reduced glove size reveals technical advantages he possessed even when competing with larger gloves.
“Because I trust my punch flow and my punch technique. I’ve been working on it for years, and I believe I can be highly successful here,” Mammadov said.
“Even in amateur and professional kickboxing with big gloves, I could still beat my opponents. It’s much easier with the small gloves. I proved this both to myself and to the people watching.”
Yodlekpet presents a significant step up in competition. The Thai veteran has compiled more than 130 professional bouts and holds eight victories in ONE Championship’s weekly series, including a win against Denis Puric. Mammadov has studied Yodlekpet’s style and identified similarities to his previous opponent that inform his preparation.
“I believe I can show different things in the Yodlekpet match,” Mammadov said.
“Yodlekpet has an opposite guard, which might be a bit challenging, but he has a similar fighting style and height to Komawut. I also believe he is a veteran fighter. He’s been training with Komawut for 15 years, and he trusts his own techniques and combinations.”
Rather than engaging in extended exchanges, Mammadov plans to capitalize on technical errors and timing opportunities. His approach emphasizes precision and strategic power application rather than continuous pressure.
“I always like to fight smart. The power is not just in the arm, it’s also in the core and the technique,” Mammadov said.
“I like to use my power, but I prefer to use it at the right time and in the right place. It’s difficult to say exactly how the match will go right now. We will know at the beginning of the match, but I think my opponent will be caught in his mistakes.”
Mammadov’s finishing ability extends beyond his punching, despite the success he found with his hands in his debut. The Azerbaijani maintains multiple weapons that could produce another stoppage victory.
“People think that my main weapon is my hands, and I am dangerous with my fists. But I am also dangerous with my feet,” Mammadov said.
“However, in the inside game, it’s easier to show the power with the fist because the gloves are small. Anything can happen. I think I can finish it with my hands, but the feet and the knee strikes are always possible.”
