Should the ONE FC Flyweight Champion Kairat Akhmetov Accept the UFC`s Offer?

By Sultan “Nomad” Arapov

For his debut in ONE FC, Kairat AKA “Kazakh” Akhmetov, 23-0 from Kazakhstan was given an immediate title shot against at the time flyweights champion Adriano Moraes from Brazil. It was Akhmetov`s first 5 rounds fight and biggest test in his career so far, from which he came off as a new champion of the organization. Soon afterwards, the news came from the UFC in form of a contract offer. While it is nice, however, he is facing a career deciding dilemma now: to remain in the current organization or go to the UFC. We will try to find and analyze arguments for and against whether talented undefeated champion should sign with the UFC right now. For a record, this is a man who recently beat Artemij Sitenkov by TKO in the first round, the man to defeat Conor McGregor once, though quite long ago.

“Kazakh” has fought in ONE FC only once, from which he got a champion`s belt. Given such a tenure, it might seem wise to try a taste of defending the title. On the other hand, it can be wrong to make the UFC wait. At this time, the UFC is considered the most prestigious organization, so for majority of MMA fighters its belt is a life dream. While it is a case, a question rises how long it will take to get a title shot at the organization if he goes there, moreover, ultimate nature of the contract is to be of a crucial concern. Number of fights per year, quality of the opposition, viewers demand and ultimate honorarium should be considered.

The more a fighter fights – the better, as it gives an opportunity of more exposure, quicker rise and ultimately, bigger honorarium. It is just that simple. However, in the UFC they fight two to four fights a year on average, yet its level of payments is not to be a head above that of ONE FC company. There, Akhmetov is already a champion, he has a privileged status and should not chase anyone to work his way up. They showed him respect by giving an immediate title shot. While, in the UFC, it would and will surely take a time and effort, to get to a shot against likes of Demetrious Johnson. He may not be given a privilege there the way ONE FC presented it to him.

The Kazakh fighter is supposed to have support in the Asian organization, he is currently at. While, in the UFC he will lack it, given general unawareness of the local audience there with the Kazakh fighters. Yet, his ONE FC title fight against Moraes in Beijing was attended by large amount of Kazakhs, who were shouting at their countryman no less than the Irish fans bolstered the agiotage at Conor McGregor`s last fights. Fanbase of ethnic origin is, usually, a crucial component for commercial as well as general success of a fighter.

At this time, it might be wise for Akhmetov to stay at the present company to get a taste of being a champion. Given ambitions of that organization and its competition with the UFC, it seems right to enjoy fighting there. A company, that will provide the most favorable terms to the fighter, should win a bid. Looking at the arguments presented above, ONE FC is the rational choice at the moment. The UFC`s prestige by itself can mean nothing, if “Kazakh” does not get a treatment the way he is having it at his current organization. If the UFC truly cares about its ultimate level of competition, it will try to make more efforts to get the talent, who has been undefeated in all of his 23 fights.

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