Cobra Gafurov Is Back to Reclaim His Crown
Three months after falling to a one‑punch knockout by Martin “The Situ‑Asian” Nguyen, Russia’s own featherweight king, Marat “Cobra” Gafurov is stepping back into the spotlight. The 33‑year‑old will face American fighter Emilio “The Honey Badger” Urrutia at ONE: Heroes of Honor in Manila on April 20.
His Motivation? Re‑take the Belt…
“I’m fired up and hungry. I want that title back. Training is my vice—I’m always on the grind,” Gafurov told ONE Championship reporters. “This fight is just one more stepping stone toward my goal.”
Why Urrutia? An Advantage?
Gafurov sees the match as almost a sweet win: “Urrutia’s a rounded fighter, better with striking than grappling. He put up a good combo against Bruno Pucci, but he never faced anyone a‑level.” He doubts Urrutia’s chances, saying he’s “just going to hit the gym and train – let him worry about his odds.”
Daily Grind in Dagestan
- Regular, no‑frills training camp
- Same teammates who helped him seize dominance
- Mentors: Yusup Saadulaev (ONE champ) and Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev (young Turkish‑based fighter) keep him sharp
Final 10 Days in Thailand
Gafurov explains why he’ll finish prep in the scorching Southeast Asian climate: “Acclimatising to humidity, heat and the time‑zone shift is essential. Cutting weight comes easier here—sweat it out in this weather. Cheap meat and fish give me a great diet. The sunny vibe keeps me pumped.” Singapore is a favourite; Singapore’s neatness and polite locals make every visit a treat. He’s also eager to explore Manila during any downtime.
Re‑building the Legacy
Before Nguyen’s shock knockout, Cobra had raked up a string of opponents with his sticky rear‑naked choke. He’s now eyeing the division’s top contenders—Christian Lee, the teenage fighter getting a title shot, and the rest of the featherweight field.
Christian Lee & Co.
“The division’s hot, all packed with talented athletes. Christian is solid but not yet a threat for me. He’ll go far, but I still feel I’m on a different level now,” Gafurov said. “Christian’s potential is huge, but I’ll beat all of them.”
Return on Nguyen
When asked about Nguyen, Gafurov didn’t mince words: “I still think he’s a good athlete but not exceptional. His win was a lucky punch. He’s a lucky guy—too lucky, I guess.” He’s adamant he’ll “come back to take the belt back.”
So there you have it—a confident Cobra, a seasoned camp, and a road to Manila all lined up to reclaim his championship throne. Keep watching; you might see the king rise again!
