Amir Aliakbari Reflects on ONE Fight Night 12 Win, Addresses Malykhin Altercation

In earning his third win in a row last Saturday, 15th July, Amir Aliakbari has set himself apart from the rest of the heavyweight division.

Aliakbari dispatched Dustin Joynson by TKO in the first round on ONE Fight Night 12’s main card, punching the Canadian contender to a verbal submission to set up the most prosperous winning streak of the Iranian giant’s ONE Championship tenure.

Aliakbari feels the stoppage was the product of six months’ worth of blood, sweat, and tears, and that the outcome showed glimpses of the level aspires to consistently reach.

“During the previous six months, I had very concentrated training, especially in boxing with my coach Ali and we did great. And that was the result that you see this morning. It was six months of hard work and practice and the result was there to see,” Aliakbari said. 

“We did great, and we had a lot of very hard work. In addition to that, with the help of Ali, we analyzed Dustin’s performances, and I knew about his weak points. So, I knew how I can knock him out.”

Despite the momentous outcome, the final days in the leadup to the fight were met with antagonizing comments from ONE Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly Malykhin, as rumors spread of Aliakbari’s potential contention.

Always a passionate and fiery fighter, Aliakbari allowed his fists to do the talking on Saturday, refusing to get distracted against Joynson. 

Following the stoppage win, Aliakbari called out Malykhin, and the pair came face to face and almost to blows inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium’s ring.

The hulking behemoths met once before at ONE: REVOLUTION in September 2021, where “Sladkiy” won out via a first-round knockout. However, Aliakbari feels this version of himself will avenge the earlier defeat, and claim the ONE Heavyweight World Title.

“I was focusing on this important fight so he [Malykhin] was just playing around and trying to say words that could well destroy my spirit and my attitude, but he was not successful,” the 35-year-old said.  

“I think with the kind of victory I got today, I think he will be the one who will be defeated next.”