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Zebaztian Kadestam Excited To Continue Charge Back To The Top Against Roberto Soldic At ONE Fight Night 10

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Former ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam’s journey back to the top of the division has been nothing short of emphatic.

The Swedish star claimed the coveted divisional crown in Novemeber 2018, and he defended it successfully six months later. Unfortunately, he couldnt keep the belt in his next outing, and from there, he slid to a three-fight skid. 

But in typical fashion, Kadestam refused to let that competitive lull get him down. He remained persistent and focused, and eventually his hardwork began to bear fruit.

The 32-year-old returned to his usual form last year. He dispatched Valmir Da Silva with a thunderous knockout inside the first round at ONE: FULL CIRCLE last February, and he served up the same treatment to Iuri Lapicus when they clashed at ONE on Prime Video 1 in August to properly reintroduce himself to a division he once reigned over. 

With two first-round finishes in a row to his name, Kadestam will be at peak confidence heading into his upcoming fight with former two-division KSW World Champion Roberto Soldic, who he faces at ONE’s debut U.S. event, ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III, on Saturday, 6th May.

Soldic will likely offer Kadestam his biggest challenge to date inside the Circle, and their showdown has been deemed a World Title eliminator matchup by many. Divisional gold isn’t in “The Bandit’s” mind. Instead, he is just focused on getting back amongst the very best that the stacked weight class has on offer.

“Man, after I beat this guy, I’m back on top. I don’t care about any title. And we will see what happens next, but this is the biggest fight of my career for sure and I’m coming for everything. To be honest, I haven’t been this motivated since I fought Tyler McGuire for the title,” Kadestam said.

“Since then, you know, life has not been steady. And this is the one, it gives me the chills, it keeps me up at night already, I haven’t been here for a while so it feels really good to be back doing what I love.”

Soldic arrived in ONE Championship as Europe’s hottest name, and he is arguably the promotion’s most exciting new asset. With 17 knockouts in 20 victories, the hype for him to show out on May 6th is growing by the day. 

Kadestam recognises the excitement from the fans and fighters, and he’s fine with it because he’s been here before. The way he sees it, if all eyes are on his opponent, he can prime himself for an upset. 

“I’ve had a lot of fights in ONE. I’ve won and defended the title. I fought Ben Askren and I think this is kind of the same,” Kadestam analysed.

“I think this fight is bigger than the Ben Askren fight. It’s a name. Everybody knows him, he has all the hype, and I want it.”