The lightweight kickboxing showdown between Constantin Rusu and Bogdan Shumarov promises to kick off ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov on Prime Video in style this Friday, July 14.
The surging strikers will bring their best to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, knowing that a victory inside the legendary Bangkok venue would establish the winner as a threat to the division’s elite.
Longtime ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel has ransacked the weight class over the past few years, and he’ll be watching closely to see which contender emerges from this U.S. primetime matchup.
Here’s why fans should tune in at 8 p.m. ET to catch this guaranteed barnburner when the action begins in the Thai capital.
#1 Toe-To-Toe Action
There is always a myriad of potential outcomes in any fight, but one thing you can guarantee from Rusu vs. Shumarov is that they will come forward and engage.
While these strikers have varied arsenals, both men thrive when they are pressing toward their opponent and getting in range to trade.
Rusu brings a lot of heat and excels in wild exchanges. However, his Bulgarian foe won’t be fazed by that approach as he walks into the pocket, keeps a high guard, and wings in heavy hooks and uppercuts when he gets the chance.
In close, the Moldovan is more likely to slip or move back to counter, while Shumarov will attempt to deflect shots with his guard and reply from there.
There will be times when these athletes will be fighting in a phone booth – and that can only mean excitement for the fans.
#2 Two Strikers On A Roll
With impressive winning streaks on both sides, these lightweight strikers will enter the ring with plenty of momentum.
Rusu has won four in a row, which includes his 2-0 run in ONE with wins over former World Title challenger Islam Murtazaev and Marouan Toutouh.
Meanwhile, Shumarov has scored six wins in a row and is carrying a nine-fight unbeaten streak, with a 2019 draw the only time he hasn’t been victorious in more than four years.
Given their respective high-octane styles and the confidence they’ve garnered from their recent form, both men will come out with offense in mind, chasing the chance to go for gold in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
#3 Shumarov’s Knockout Power
Although Shumarov is making his ONE on Prime Video debut, the 26-year-old featured at ONE Friday Fights 6 in February, where he made a huge impression.
The SB Gym representative – who trains alongside former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi – needed just 75 seconds to score a crunching KO win over Marwen Houli, impressing the ONE brass enough to earn his step up.
Shumarov dropped the Tunisian with a right hand before separating him from his senses with another shortly after, showcasing his concussive power as he extended his overall record to 16-2-1.
With the striking volume likely to be high, there will be the potential for a finishing shot at any moment – with Rusu also capable of putting his opponents away early.
#4 Expect The Unexpected From Rusu
While Rusu hasn’t added a finish yet in ONE, he’s proven to be dangerous, especially when he starts to unleash his more unorthodox weapons.
When he faced Toutou in June 2022, Rusu sent the tough Dutch-Moroccan slugger to the canvas with a well-timed spinning backfist.
The Moldova native is a big threat with these kinds of attacks whenever he misses with a strike, using the momentum to spin into backfists or kicks that whip around with fierce intent.
So, even evading Rusu’s strikes could put Shumarov in the firing line, leaving little room for respite in this intense lightweight kickboxing tilt.
