Top-ranked featherweight MMA contenders Garry Tonon and Shamil Gasanov will square off in a highly anticipated feature bout at ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov on Prime Video.

Both former titleholders know the result will have an impact on their own futures – with Tonon ranked #2 and Gasanov at #5 – so they’ll be tuning in with particular interest.Just like the masses of fans who can’t wait to see it play out, former ONE Featherweight World Champions Thanh Le and Martin Nguyen are excited for the contest to get underway live in North American primetime this Friday, July 14.

ormer two-division ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen shares a similar view to Thanh Le, believing that the ground acumen of both men might initially force a stalemate on the feet.

“The Situ-Asian” is not confident this will bring the best out of Garry Tonon or Shamil Gasanov, but when the grappling threat is so high, it might be the route they opt for.

However, if it does hit the deck, Nguyen expects “The Lion Killer’s” world-class BJJ pedigree to shine through.

He explained:“I feel that it’s going to be more of a stand-up fight. And if anything, if it does go to the ground, it would be Gasanov who initiates that. But it’s a dangerous game to play when you’re fighting someone like Garry Tonon. 

“He’s come from a complete grappling and jiu-jitsu background, and the leg locks are a huge factor, not only just the normal chokes and arm locks and all that. So it’s something that he’s got to watch out for. If it does hit the ground, Garry Tonon would take that one.”