Egor Bikrev feels he may have deserved to win a ONE Championship contract last week in Bangkok – but will “continue on my path” to the big time after his shock KO of fan favourite Panpayak Jitmuangnon.
The 22-year-old Russian silenced Lumpinee Stadium when he stopped Thailand’s “Angel Warrior” in the second round of their flyweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 92.
It derailed Panpayak’s much vaunted comeback in just his second fight after two years out, with Bikrev’s stock now through the roof.
Though not high enough it seems to earn a US$100,000 multi-fight deal on the Asia-based martial arts promotion’s main roster just yet.
“Of course, winning the contract is my biggest goal today, and every time I come and fight here,” Bikrev told the Bangkok Post backstage after his win.
“Yeah, I thought there was an opportunity for me, considering who I fought, to get a contract.
“But that’s OK, because if not today, then probably next time – I know I will get there.”
Bikrev – who has back-to-back wins since debuting at ONE Lumpinee in November with a first-round knockout of Gingsanglek Tor Laksong – did receive a 350,000 baht bonus from ONE boss Chatri Sityodtong at least.
“Of course I’m very happy, this bonus will aid in my financial stability, it helps a lot, so thank you boss Chatri,” he added.
“We are going to accept any offers to fight, and soon we are going to be back here and continuing on the path towards a contract.”
Panpayak looked vulnerable – particularly when it came to conditioning – in his first fight back in October, when he won a decision against Silviu Vitez.
Bikrev then dropped him in the first round before getting the job done with a combination of punches after the restart, beating the former No 3-ranked challenger whom many had pegged as a future title contender.
“That was truly a hard fight, they gave me a very tough opponent. From what I know, he’s one of the top fighters here,” Bikrev said. “But we came in with a goal to win and to focus on our boxing. Put pressure, go hard, win.
“The fact I got to fight against someone that was a champion multiple times here at the stadium, I feel great. I come from a small town, from a camp that clearly is one of the best. I think we proved that today.”
The 22-year-old Russian silenced Lumpinee Stadium when he stopped Thailand’s “Angel Warrior” in the second round of their flyweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 92.
It derailed Panpayak’s much vaunted comeback in just his second fight after two years out, with Bikrev’s stock now through the roof.
Though not high enough it seems to earn a US$100,000 multi-fight deal on the Asia-based martial arts promotion’s main roster just yet.
“Of course, winning the contract is my biggest goal today, and every time I come and fight here,” Bikrev told the Bangkok Post backstage after his win.
“Yeah, I thought there was an opportunity for me, considering who I fought, to get a contract.
“But that’s OK, because if not today, then probably next time – I know I will get there.”
Bikrev – who has back-to-back wins since debuting at ONE Lumpinee in November with a first-round knockout of Gingsanglek Tor Laksong – did receive a 350,000 baht bonus from ONE boss Chatri Sityodtong at least.
“Of course I’m very happy, this bonus will aid in my financial stability, it helps a lot, so thank you boss Chatri,” he added.
“We are going to accept any offers to fight, and soon we are going to be back here and continuing on the path towards a contract.”
Panpayak looked vulnerable – particularly when it came to conditioning – in his first fight back in October, when he won a decision against Silviu Vitez.
Bikrev then dropped him in the first round before getting the job done with a combination of punches after the restart, beating the former No 3-ranked challenger whom many had pegged as a future title contender.
“That was truly a hard fight, they gave me a very tough opponent. From what I know, he’s one of the top fighters here,” Bikrev said. “But we came in with a goal to win and to focus on our boxing. Put pressure, go hard, win.
“The fact I got to fight against someone that was a champion multiple times here at the stadium, I feel great. I come from a small town, from a camp that clearly is one of the best. I think we proved that today.”
