Ali Abdelaziz told SCMP MMA he would be bringing “a lot of muscle” to ONE Championship, and the Dominance MMA Management CEO is delivering on his promise.
Hot on the heels of 13-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion Marcus “Bucheha” Almeida signing his first MMA contract with the Asian martial arts organisation, Abdelaziz told ESPN that ONE has brought on his client Amir Aliakbari, a former Greco-Roman wrestling world champ.
Almeida and the Iranian 32-year-old Aliakbari (10-1) will strengthen ONE’s heavyweight division, ruled by former UFC star Brandon Vera. Aliakbari had signed with the UFC last year, but withdrew after a doping suspension given by the international amateur wrestling governing body, which banned him for life from competing in the sport for his second offence.
“My name is Amir Aliakbari,” he told ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “This is the real Iron Sheikh, the pride of Iran. USA have one guy named Iron Sheikh but he's a fake – fake wrestler.
“I'm glad to sign with ONE Championship, I'm going to invade their heavyweight division, and fight [champion] Brandon Vera. When I'm finished with him they're not going to recognise him because I will disfigure his face.
“I believe I'm the best heavyweight in the world today. I'm unstoppable. I'm coming to ONE Championship and I'm bringing the entire Persian army with me – no one is safe.”
A former star in Japanese MMA promotion Rizin, Aliakbari has only lost to the legendary Mirko Cro Cop – a first-round knockout in December 2016.
Abdelaziz told ESPN Aliakbari is in line to make his ONE debut in October. He suggested to SCMP MMA last week that ONE could host a heavyweight Grand Prix, and hinted such a tournament could also feature former UFC champ Fabricio Werdum. The Brazilian is a free agent after his first-round submission win over Alexander Gustafsson on Fight Island last month.
“Fabricio Werdum, he’s got Bellator, he’s got ONE, a lot of great promotions. Both understand Fabricio has to do what’s best for his family. I can very much see him at ONE,” Abdelaziz said. “You can see him there. I think as a heavyweight, the culture in Asia … we know the K-1 Grand Prix, the heavyweight Grand Prix, that’s something that could be nice if promoted correctly.
“I’m sure Chatri [Sityodtong, ONE CEO] and [senior vice-president] Matt Hume and all the martial artists down there understand talent, they can put on an eight-fighter Grand Prix. It could be spectacular if it has some one like Fabricio in it, like Brandon Vera in it, some other great heavyweights in it. They’re not short of heavyweights, they have some good heavyweights already.”
