Vitaly Bigdash’s Road to Reclaiming the Middleweight Crown
While most folks are busy polishing their New Year’s resolutions, Russian fighter Vitaly Bigdash is laser‑focused on one mission: regaining his ONE Middleweight World Title.
Bigdash’s Burning Desire
“I will get my belt back,” the 33‑year‑old declared, charging ahead. “I’m aiming to be champion again, and I’ll face whoever it takes to get there.”
January’s First Big Step
His initial showdown comes at ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE in Jakarta on 20 January, where he’ll square off against five‑time Brazilian jiu‑jitsu world champion Leandro Ataides (10‑3). Many fans see Ataides as a serious title challenger, making this bout a tough yet exciting hurdle for Bigdash.
Track Record Highlights
- Seven consecutive wins, all by stoppage, earning his place on the ONE roster.
- Claimed the ONE Middleweight Title in October 2015 after a comeback knockout of former champ Igor Svirid.
- Defended his title with a dominant decision over Aung La N Sang, who had stepped in on short notice.
The Battle that Brought Back the Belt?
Despite Bigdash’s dominant early reign, “The Burmese Python,” Aung La N Sang, earned a second title run—this time with full camp support—in June at ONE: LIGHT OF A NATION. The five‑round thriller ended with a unanimous decision that Bigdash insists was unwarranted.
“I respect the judges and ONE Championship, but I’ll never accept this decision,” Bigdash says. “I feel Aung La didn’t earn the win, and the home‑turf factor tipped the scales.”
Next-Up: A Bash to Bring Back the Crown
With a clear record and a burning urge, the half‑year no‑title period will end when Bigdash faces off against Ataides. The fight promises to test both men’s skills—and to provide the fanfare any title‑hungry fighter deserves.
Bigdash Admits Oops— Still Fighting Aung La N Sang
While he’s waving a protest flag at the judges’ decision, Bigdash also drops the blame of a slight on himself regarding his belt loss. “I don’t agree with the judges, but I gotta own up to my own mess,” he said. “Honestly, I let Aung La N Sang slip through the cracks. I’d faced him before, read his style, and thought nothing would surprise me. But he’s quick, brave, and I made a rookie blunder.”
A One‑Round Hurricane
- Bigdash went down early as Aung La N Sang cranked up the heat for a first‑round finish.
- He squirmed out of the cage but stayed in the fight, battling the “Burmese Python” until the end.
- The opening wreck didn’t help; those 30 minutes tipped the judges in Aung La’s favor.
Timing Is Everything— Bigdash’s Three‑Day Arrival
He’s been candid about the crash‑course of prep: arriving in Myanmar only three days before the bout. “It wasn’t enough time to acclimatise,” he admits. That rushed training led to a costly early drop.
Turning a Lesson into a Plan
- Bigdash swapped teams: left Akhmat MMA in Chechnya for Phuket Top Team.
- Two months of solid training in Thailand, sharpening skills and letting his body settle.
- “I’m not going to repeat the acclimatisation blunder,” he promises, analyzing every aspect of the game to win against Ataides.
He’s not taking the next fight lightly. “Ataides is a powerhouse and a jiu‑jitsu wizard. I didn’t expect ONE to set me up with a walk‑in.”
Future Battles on the Horizon
A win could spark a trilogy bout with veteran Aung La N Sang later this year—an epic rematch in ONE Championship lore. Both men already have a win on the other’s record.
With that fight, plus a shot at the title, firmly in his sights, Bigdash is raring to deliver a stellar performance at the start of a thrilling year for ONE Championship.
