Samy “AK47” Sana plans to make it rain on Christmas.
The Frenchman battles red-hot Jamal “Kherow” Yusupov in a featherweight Muay Thai bout at the previously recorded ONE: COLLISION COURSE II on Friday, 25 December.
Sana, ranked #4 in ONE’s featherweight Muay Thai rankings, knows that a win over the second-ranked Yusupov will catapult him to the top of the division and possibly get a shot at reigning World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy.
“This is a really important bout that I’m taking extremely seriously, especially [if there is a chance to compete] for the ONE Championship belt,” Sana told ONEFC.com.
Sana is coming off a disappointing loss in the final of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship to all-time great Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan.
Now with another chance to get closer to gold, Sana isn’t keen on wasting chances.
“Of course, I’ve been disappointed by my loss because I’m not used to losing. Losing is very tough for me. But Giorgio and I are in the same rankings, so there will definitely be a time to take my revenge,” he said.
“It is definitely my goal to get the ONE Championship belt. I’ll do anything, and I’ll get to it in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and maybe in the higher weight class.
“In my next bout, I’ll prove that I am a top contender who is tough to beat, and I want to show that I am the real champion of my weight class.”
“AK47” won’t have it any easier against Yusupov, who stormed the ONE Super Series stage with a surprising knockout win of “The Boxing Computer” Yodsanklai Fairtex last year.
But Sana’s confident that once the Circle door closes, Yusupov won’t have any answers for his puzzling game plan.
“He has to fear everything because I’m strong, tall, and powerful. I’m a pure nak muay, so it’ll be tough for him. We are going to put on a good fight,” Sana said.
“As with every fight, I’ll need to give my best at 200 percent to finish the opponent and to show I’m the best.”
Catch ONE: COLLISION COURSE II live One Sports or One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. this Friday, December 25, Philippine Standard Time (PHT) or by downloading the ONE Super App.
Also, TV5 will air the action on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, December 26.