Vitaly Bigdash has left an impression every time he’s entered the ONE Championship circle.
The Russian star consistently showcases his razor-sharp fight IQ, which he combines with his raw knockout power and grappling expertise. These skills have pushed him to a 12-2 career record, as well as a ONE middleweight world title reign.
He’ll attempt to reclaim the middleweight strap when he goes toe-to-toe with two-division ONE world champion Reinier The Dutch Knight de Ridder in the main event of ONE 159 on Friday.
Ahead of this world title showdown at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, we look back at three of Bigdash’s performances that prove he could leave “The Lion City” with gold around his waist once again.
1. Claiming gold in his promotional debut
With a 7-0 professional slate and a 100 percent finishing rate, Bigdash was expected to make waves when he faced Igor Svirid for the middleweight crown in his promotional debut in October 2015.
However, when the contest got underway, the Russian fighter looked as though he was already a beaten man.
His Kazakh rival attacked with stinging combinations and hard-hitting fists that sent Bigdash to the canvas twice. Svirid continued to stay one step ahead and even came close to a highlight-reel finish on a few occasions, but that all changed midway into the first stanza.
Bigdash soon became the aggressor and landed three knees to the jaw before lunging in for a rear-naked choke. Svirid was saved by the bell, but the ONE Championship debutant certainly looked like he was coming to life.
The Russian powerhouse continued where he had left off when the second round began, and just 36 seconds into the frame, the finish came.
He uncorked another knee to the jaw, followed it up with a right hand, and then finished his rival off with a plethora of hammerfists to claim the gold.
The performance showcased that he has a championship-winning mindset, strong tools to compete against the very best, and a willingness to put on a show for the fans.
2. Defending his middleweight crown
The Russian colossus followed up his massive title-winning display with another classic performance against Aung La The Burmese Python N Sang in January 2017.
N Sang, who earned his title shot after four consecutive triumphs inside the ONE circle, sent a stern warning to the world champion in the first two rounds. He scored with huge shots and chopping kicks, and Bigdash was often forced to rethink his strategy.
But the Myanmar fighter’s onslaught didn’t last long, and from the start of the third canto, it was all about the divisional king.
The Russian upped the tempo and stung The Burmese Python with perfectly timed shots while making life difficult for him on the canvas. His knees to the body and liver shots damaged N Sang, and by the end of the fifth round, it was clear that he deserved to retain his strap.
The match is an ideal example of what Bigdash can do when things get heated.
3. Kickstarting his third shot at middleweight gold
After succumbing to N Sang in a world championship rematch and being knocked out by Leandro Ataides, Bigdash knew he had to put on a career-defining performance to get back up the ranks.
He did just that when he faced off against Yuki Niimura in December 2018.
The Russian navigated past his Japanese rival’s offensive threat by maintaining distance and hurting him with crisp knees and punches in the clinch.
Niimura, who had seven wins by knockout, was eager to trade leather, but the Bigdash shut it down with a takedown.
On the canvas, the Russian was at his best. He connected with a bucketload of punches until the Japanese veteran attempted to wiggle his way out of danger.
But during that exchange, Bigdash quickly gained his rival’s back and worked his way towards the finish. He locked up a triangle choke and secured the match-winning submission late in the first round.
After that win, Bigdash went on a rampage, earning two more wins and setting himself on a collision course with de Ridder, and on Friday, the Russian finally has a chance to reclaim the belt.
