Paul Elliott is eyeing a ‘life-changing’ world title shot should he come through his ONE Championship heavyweight bout with Shamil Erdogan, but stopped short of promising another record-equalling knockout.
The Middlesbrough-born fighter takes on Erdogan at ONE Fight Night 48 on Friday, October 2 – live on Sky Sports – with the winner possibly earning a shot at the vacant ONE heavyweight MMA world title, which was last held by Anatoly Malykhin before he retired.
Elliott holds an 8-2 record, earning all of his wins by knockout, entering the history books in June when he tied the fastest knockout in ONE history by stopping Regan Upshaw in six seconds.
“I’m probably going to struggle to match that I think,” Elliott told Sky Sports. “Don’t get me wrong, as soon as the bell goes, I do try to finish fights – I’m known for doing that.
“But he’s obviously aware of that now, so he’s probably going to keep himself in a defensive position past 10 seconds at least.”
The 34-year-old has won his last four fights in a row, but is now set for his stiffest challenge yet in the form of the Erdogan, two years his senior who was born in Russia but who now represents Turkey.
“I think it’s going to be a great fight,” Elliott said. “He’s super skilful, I’m super skilful.
“Because he’s quite well-rounded, I think it will probably go past round one.
Paul Elliott is expecting a ‘technical’ tussle when he takes on Shamil Erdogan
“He’s pretty resilient, so although I’m very explosive and fast, he’s technically sound. It might be a bit of a chess match.
“He’s probably going to try and wrestle me. I could be wrong, but I think that’s what he’s going to try and do.”
He added: “At heavyweight, we all know one shot can change it.
“We’ll both be super switched on and I think it will probably be a razor-thin win for one of us.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a draw, I don’t think it’s going to go the distance.
“I think one of us is going to leave with our hand raised and it’s going to be before the final bell.
“I believe that whoever wins this will get a title shot.”
Elliott labelled Canada’s Ben Tynan as “the only name that probably springs to mind” as a potential opponent for the vacant ONE heavyweight belt were he to get past Erdogan.
“It would be a huge achievement to fight for a title, let alone win one,” he said. “It would massively change my life.
“Fighting for One Championship alone has definitely elevated my life, it’s a great thing.
“It has definitely put me on the map in the world of fighting. Even with the casual fans; I’m getting noticed a lot more now, which is cool.
“But to be world champion, that’s going to go down in history. It’s the pinnacle.
“Quite frankly, if I can do that it will be the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
What else is on ONE Fight Night 48 card?
Charlie Guest is aslo in action on ONE Fight Night 48
ONE Fight Night 48 on October 2 – live on Sky Sports – also features Luke Lessei versus Charlie Guest in a hugely important Muay Thai match in terms of the featherweight title picture – as the winner could push for a crack at Nico Carrillo’s belt.
Guest is also English, holding a 38-15 record. He made his ONE debut in June, beating Sam Fitzgerald by second-round TKO.
American Lessei is 9-3 and is coming off a July win over Mohamed Younes Rabah.