Unbeaten flyweight Sanzhar Zakirov could move towards a title shot against compatriot Avazbek Kholmirzaev, while Bokang Masunyane looks to re-enter strawweight chase
PUBLISHED : 4 Jun 2026 at 09:00
Sanzhar Zakirov (left) and Bokang Masunyane (right) will return to ONE Championship action in July
Sanzhar Zakirov and Bokang Masunyane will look to move closer to ONE Championship title shots when they return at ONE Fight Night 45 in Bangkok next month.
Sources have told the Bangkok Post that Zakirov will face Ruslan Satiev in a flyweight MMA bout at Lumpinee Stadium on July 18, while Masunyane is set to meet Lee Seung Cheol in a strawweight MMA clash on the same card.
Both matchups carry clear stakes in divisions where the title pictures are beginning to take shape.
Zakirov is 7-0 in ONE and 14-0 overall as a professional, and another victory could put him within touching distance of a shot at ONE flyweight MMA champion Avazbek Kholmirzaev.
The unbeaten “Tornado” has steadily built his case across two divisions, but his recent move through the flyweight ranks has made a potential all-Uzbek title fight with Kholmirzaev one of the more intriguing options at 135 pounds.
Kholmirzaev became champion in April with a second-round TKO of Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE Samurai 1, having quickly emerged as one of the most dangerous finishers in the division since debuting in 2024.
Zakirov, though, must first get past Satiev, another unbeaten fighter returning to the ONE stage after a lengthy absence.
The 27-year-old Russian has not fought for the promotion since winning his debut on ONE Friday Fights by split decision in 2023.
Satiev has since claimed two more victories outside ONE, extending his professional record to 6-0 and earning a return on a bigger platform.
Bokang Masunyane knocks down Ryohei Kurosawa at ONE Fight Night 39
The strawweight bout could also have title implications, with Masunyane looking to build on his unanimous decision win over Ryohei Kurosawa in January.
The South African, 31, had lost back-to-back fights against Mansur Malachiev and Zakirov before beating Kurosawa at ONE Fight Night 39, a result which put him back in the win column and kept him relevant in the chase behind champion Joshua Pacio.
“Little Giant” Masunyane has long been viewed as one of the most athletic contenders in the division, but will need to string together victories again if he is to force his way back towards a title shot.
Lee, however, brings his own momentum.
The South Korean is 5-0 under the ONE banner and earned a full-time contract with his fourth promotional win last December.
Lee Seung Cheol celebrates his decision win over Fabio Henrique at ONE Fight Night 41
The 27-year-old then made his main roster debut in March, beating Brazil’s Fabio Henrique by unanimous decision at ONE Fight Night 41.
That result gave Lee an immediate foothold in the strawweight division, and a win over Masunyane would represent the biggest victory of his career.
ONE Fight Night 45 takes place on July 18 at Lumpinee Stadium, with more bouts expected to be added in the coming weeks.