Published 7 days ago
The undefeated Turk imposed his will, submitting his opponent in under three minutes and solidifying his status as the favorite for the vacant heavyweight title
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Shamil Erdogan made history at ONE Fight Night 48 by dominating Paul Elliott via submission in just 2 minutes and 28 seconds of the second round. This spectacular performance, coupled with a $50,000 bonus, strengthens his position as the top contender for the vacant heavyweight title. But Erdogan isn’t stopping there: the undefeated Turk (14-0) now aims to challenge across three weight classes, from heavyweight to middleweight.
To remember:
- Shamil Erdogan submits Paul Elliott in 2:28 of the 2nd round at ONE Fight Night 48, confirming his dominance in the division.
- With 14 wins by KO or submission, the undefeated Turk (14-0) positions himself as the leading candidate for the vacant heavyweight title.
- Erdogan eyes competition in three weight classes (heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight) and is preparing for a showdown with Ben Tynan.
- The fight earned him a $50,000 performance bonus.
Unbelievable! Shamil Erdogan has once again shown why he is one of the most feared athletes in global MMA. At ONE Fight Night 48, the undefeated Turk (14-0) crushed Paul Elliott, submitting him via rear-naked choke in just 2 minutes and 28 seconds of the second round. A performance that not only sealed his victory but also reinforced his ambitions for the vacant heavyweight title.
What stands out about Erdogan is his ruthless strategy. From the opening minutes, he wears down his opponents, pushing them to their limits before finishing with surgical precision. His streak of 14 wins by KO or submission is proof: the Turk leaves no room for his rivals. An approach that starkly contrasts with the explosive style of some of his predecessors, like Malykhin, whose departure left a void in the division.
A Versatile and Ambitious Champion
But Erdogan isn’t content with just the heavyweights. In a post-fight interview, he declared: « I can go for all three belts », hinting at a rare versatility in modern MMA. A bold statement that underscores his desire to dominate multiple weight classes. His next challenge? Facing Ben Tynan, the only other credible contender since Malykhin’s exit, to prove his legitimacy and perhaps become the first multi-division champion in ONE Championship history.
With the $50,000 performance bonus in his pocket, Erdogan continues his ascent. The question is no longer whether he deserves the heavyweight title, but when he’ll claim it. And if his appetite for challenges persists, he could very well revolutionize the weight class landscape.
Shamil Erdogan has once again proven he is a phenomenon in MMA. With technical dominance, boundless ambition, and versatility, the undefeated Turk is carving his path to the top. ONE Championship now has a face to succeed Malykhin, and that face has a name: Erdogan. What’s next? Stay tuned—this is far from over.