In an unforgettable main event at ONE: Dynasty of Champions, undefeated former M-1 kickboxing star, Marat "Cobra" Gafurov (13-0) outlasted now former champion Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia to be crowned the undisputed ONE Featherweight World Champion, Saturday, November 21 at the Gymnasium of National Olympic Sports Centre in Beijing, China.
Gafurov overcame a spirited effort from Jadambaa to win by technical submission in an exhausting title tiff.
Well known in the sport to be a submissions ace, Gafurov had one thing on his mind, and that was to take the fight to the ground.
Surprisingly, Jadambaa showcased tremendous takedown defense and a good sprawl to keep Gafurov from taking the fight down into his territory.
Gafurov has eight submissions in his 12 victories as a professional mixed martial artist, so to say his comfort zone is on the ground would be an understatement.
However, Jadambaa proved to the world that his striking is an absolute force to be reckoned with, battering Gafurov with well-timed kicks and pinpoint punching to take the wind out of the fierce Russian.
A visibly exhausted Gafurov powered through the fatigue and dominated from top position with various submission attempts and ground-and-pound.
In the end, Gafurov willed his way to secure a breathtaking rear naked choke to put Jadambaa to sleep.
Once Gafurov finally applied the finishing touches on the choke, sinking his forearm deep under Jadambaa's neck, it was only a matter of time. Jadambaa however, in a display of true champion mentality, simply refused to tap.
As a few more seconds passed by, and the choke sunk in deeper and deeper, Jadambaa's eyes slowly closed shut and the Mongolian fell into unconsciousness.
Referee Olivier Coste immediately waved off the bout and Gafurov became the undisputed champion.
Gafurov is now 4-0 for ONE Championship, stringing together an impressive four straight victories by rear naked choke submission.