ONE Championship

A fighter who spent years outside the spotlight gets his introduction against one of the division's most dangerous veterans.

Dmitri Ramos makes his ONE Championship debut against PK Saenchai Muaythaigym's Gingsanglek Wor Kumchamnarn in a bantamweight Muay Thai co-main event at The Inner Circle 26, streaming live in Asia primetime this Friday, August 14, from Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium. The 26-year-old American built his case with Sor Dechapan on the Thai regional circuit, highlighted by a third-round spinning elbow finish of veteran Phet Uthong Or Kwanmuang in a rematch after an earlier loss.

Ramos leans on boxing as his foundation, the first striking discipline he ever learned, and he views it as the clearest technical edge he holds over a kicker of Gingsanglek's caliber.

“I do think Gingsanglek's kick is more dangerous than Phet Uthong's. Gingsanglek is a cannon. So I have to treat his weapon for what it is,†he said.

Dmitri Ramos banks on pressure and pace

Ramos believes his conditioning gives him a real edge if the fight extends into the later rounds, betting that his forward pressure and work rate will eventually wear down the more experienced Thai veteran.

That patience-and-pressure formula has become the calling card of his rise from an overlooked regional prospect to a ONE Championship debutant with real expectations attached.

“I know my gas tank is better. I've seen him fight. My boxing, I know I have the technical advantage with my boxing. I'm gonna make him drown. Take him to the deep waters in the third round,†he said.

Ramos has said he expects one of two scenarios to unfold: an early finish from either man given their shared power, or a grinding battle where his pressure becomes the deciding factor if Gingsanglek survives the opening exchanges. Either way, he arrives believing his moment has finally come.

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Zuffa LLC

Islam Makhachev has no plans of walking away from pro MMA competition at the conclusion of UFC 330.

Many argue that Makhachev has nothing left to prove having captured UFC gold in two weight classes and not suffering a loss since 2015. For the most part, the two-division UFC titleholder has looked dominant. Even when he was tested against fellow future UFC Hall of Famer Alexander Volkanovski, Makhachev delivered a definitive knockout win in the rematch.

Now that he's the welterweight ruler in search of his first successful title defense, it's got people talking about how much longer Makhachev will compete. Beloved UFC color commentator Joe Rogan recently said he wouldn't be surprised if the 170-pound king hangs up his gloves if he defeats Ian Machado Garry on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Fans of Makhachev can breathe a little easier after the pound-for-pound great told TMZ Sports that he isn't going anywhere for the time being (h/t Bloody Elbow).

“No, no, no. I told you I like to be UFC champion and we're still going,†Makhachev said. “It's not about numbers, about age. It's about your health, how you feel. Not everybody can feel the same at 34. That's why I feel great. No injuries. I still enjoy the sports, you know. That's why we will fight again. You will see me many more times.â€

Oftentimes, Makhachev and MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov will get compared given the two are childhood friends and have trained together for years. Nurmagomedov retired with a perfect 29-0 record, but many felt he still had plenty of fight left in him. It appears Makhachev will be taking a bit of a different path and is looking to keep fighting for as long as his body holds up.

Is it a good idea for Islam Makhachev to continue fighting beyond UFC 330, or do you think he should consider walking away sooner rather than later? Sound off in the comments below.

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Zuffa LLC

Sean O'Malley doesn't see the UFC 330 main event being a barnburner, but he is sensing an upset.

Garry will enter Saturday's card in Philadelphia as a sizable betting underdog. His opponent, Islam Makhachev, is widely regarded as the best MMA fighter today and many expect him to make his first welterweight title defense a successful one. Garry has every intention to shake things up in the 170-pound division, and O'Malley thinks “The Future†can pull it off.

Even so, O'Malley isn't expecting an exciting fight. In a video breakdown posted on his YouTube channel, the former UFC bantamweight titleholder said that he can see Garry's point fighting coming into play, and he doesn't think it'll make the crowd inside Xfininity Mobile Arena happy (h/t MMAJunkie).

“I do think there's going to be a point where he's frustrating Islam,†O'Malley said. “He's popping him with the jab, and he's moving, he's circling, he's not engaging. He's hitting him with it. The crowd is booing. They're staying up until 5am to watch him, and he's punching and moving, but he's doing what he has to do.â€

The “Suga†show did leave the possibility open for another dominant showing from Makhachev, who is destined for the UFC Hall of Fame at some point when he's ready to retire. Ultimately, O'Malley is picking the challenger to stun the MMA world this weekend.

“With that all said, he is vegan, so I don't know,†O'Malley said. “Part of me thinks that Islam could just grab ahold of him and snap him in half like a f*cking zucchini, but I don't know. Final prediction: I think Ian Garry's going to win a decision. I don't think it's going to be the most exciting fight ever. I think there's going to be some good back-and-forths, but I do think Ian Garry is is going to get the job done.â€

If Garry can pull off the upset, then he'd hand Makhachev his first loss since 2015. “The Future†would also become the first Irish fighter to win the UFC welterweight gold.

Do you think Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry has the potential to be a snoozer, or do you disagree with Sean O'Malley here? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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