Ellis Badr Barboza is ready to get back in the win column, but first he’ll have to get through a dangerous Russian looking to make his mark on the division.
The former ONE World Title challenger returns to action against knockout artist Shamil Adukhov at ONE Fight Night 34 on Friday, August 1, in what promises to be a pivotal strawweight Muay Thai clash inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
For “El Jefe,” this represents the beginning of his journey back to championship contention. The Birmingham native has proven he belongs among the division’s elite, impressing in his promotional debut against Thongpoon PK Saenchai before grinding out a competitive split-decision victory over Thai-Malaysian standout Aliff Sor Dechapan.
That victory earned him a shot at two-sport king Prajanchai PK Saenchai’s strawweight crown at ONE Fight Night 28 in February. While Barboza put forth a valiant effort and proved he could compete with the best, the Thai champion ultimately finished him in the fourth round via TKO.
Now, six months removed from that title fight setback, the technical striker with explosive power and seemingly endless cardio is ready to begin his climb back up the rankings. A dominant performance against Adukhov could quickly put him back in the title conversation.
Standing across from him is a Russian fighter with everything to prove and nothing to lose.
Adukhov arrived in ONE Championship with a 7-1 record and high expectations, but his promotional debut didn’t go according to plan. Taking a catchweight bout against Aliff on just two weeks’ notice at ONE Fight Night 28, the aggressive Dagestani kickboxer was knocked out in the first round.
Now, with a full training camp behind him and the chance to face a recent title challenger, Adukhov has the opportunity to show what he can really do on the global stage. The talent-rich strawweight division is unforgiving, but a statement victory over Barboza would immediately establish him as a legitimate contender.
Both fighters understand the stakes. For Barboza, it’s about proving his championship shot wasn’t a fluke and that he’s still a force in the division. For Adukhov, it’s about showing that his debut was an aberration and that he belongs among the strawweight elite.
