Akif Guluzada earns ONE Championship contract with stunning KO on Friday Fights 94
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Akif Guluzada earns ONE Championship contract with stunning KO on Friday Fights 94

The 19-year-old ‘King’ lands a US$100,000 deal and puts flyweight Muay Thai division on notice

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Akif Guluzada became the first fighter in 2025 to earn a US$100,000 ONE Championship contract from ONE Lumpinee with a stunning KO on Friday night.

The 19-year-old Azerbaijani landed a spinning back elbow to plant Puengluang on the canvas in the second round of the ONE Friday Fights 94 main event.

It was a third victory from as many fights at Lumpinee Stadium for “King” Guluzada – the protege of former ONE featherweight kickboxing champ Chingiz Allazov.

As commentator Mitch Chilson put it on the official broadcast, Guluzada has now “officially put the flyweight Muay Thai division on notice”.

First, however, Guluzada thought he had earned just a 350,000 baht performance bonus from ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. 

“Thank you very much, Mr Chatri,” he said, when told by Chilson during their in-ring interview. “I’m very grateful – and like I wanted to do, I have proved who is the real king.”

Akif Guluzada earns ONE Championship contract with stunning KO on Friday Fights 94

But it got even sweeter for Guluzada, with Chilson then informing him he had earned a ticket to the big stage – ONE’s main roster.

Guluzada broke down in tears as his coach ran over to hug him, before collecting himself.

“I remember about a year ago sitting there with my team and watching ONE Championship, and seeing the fighters get their contracts or their bonuses,”said Guluzada, who fights out of Venum Training Camp in Pattaya. 

“I was always so happy for them and now I’ve been here, I’ve got two bonuses and today I got the contract. I can’t put into words how I feel. 

“It’s amazing and I’m so grateful to have these people always supporting me.” 

Akif Guluzada earns ONE Championship contract with stunning KO on Friday Fights 94

Guluzada admitted he had to think on the fly against Puengluang, a dangerous opponent with three wins himself at ONE Lumpinee.

“The plan didn’t go exactly the way the fight went, but I saw there were some weaknesses, some weak spots,” Guluzada said.

“He made a few mistakes and when I was able to grab his leg that’s when I noticed [the spinning back elbow] was the next move for me.”

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