Before the feature bouts go down at “ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov” this weekend, a crucial heavyweight MMA contest is set to take center stage.
Top contenders Amir Aliakbari (12-3) and Dustin Joynson (7-1) will duke it out at the star-studded spectacle, which broadcasts live and free for Prime Video subscribers in North America this Friday, July 14, and newly crowned divisional king Anatoly Malykhin will be watching closely from the audience.
The pair will bring contrasting skill sets to the ring as they look to further their claims for a world title shot, and here’s what both men will be relying on to score the win.
1. Aliakbari’s wrestling
Aliakbari’s clearest advantage in this tussle will lie in the wrestling department.
The former Greco-Roman wrestling world champion’s victory over Italian veteran Mauro Cerilli at ONE on Prime Video 1 last August was a perfect example of his ability to dominate opponents on the ground.
The hulking Iranian took Cerilli down at will and was undeniable on the canvas as he breezed into side control and secured the crucifix position. From there, he rained down elbows on his helpless foe until the referee was forced to intervene in the second round.
Aliakbari will be looking for more of the same against Joynson, and few heavyweights are as qualified as him to get the job done on the mat.
2. Joynson’s length
If he can establish some distance, this fight likely belongs to Joynson.
The Canadian stands 2 inches taller than Aliakbari, and he’ll enjoy a sizeable six-inch reach advantage.
Joynson showed he can use his long arms to great effect in his victory over Hugo Cunha in February 2022, as he employed lengthy straight punches to pick his opponent apart from distance.
The 37-year-old will need to establish that range again on Friday evening to stuff any chance of Aliakbari going to ground with his grappling.
3. Aliakbari’s power
If his wrestling isn’t keeping Joynson up at night, then Aliakbari’s punching power undoubtedly is.
The 35-year-old dispatched former longtime ONE heavyweight world champion Brandon Vera with strikes at ONE 164 in December to send a message through the division that he is no one-trick pony.
Aliakbari needed less than a round to display his evolved striking game, tagging Vera early on before closing the show with devastating ground-and-pound.
The Iranian star’s power and physical strength will allow him to change the complexion of the fight in the blink of an eye, and Joynson will need to be diligent when trading blows with the resurgent powerhouse.
4 Joynson’s engine
If one thing is certain in this heavyweight brawl, it’s that Joynson will be coming to the ring in shape.
The Aftermath MMA representative has gone the distance in each of his two fights under the ONE banner thus far, and he showed no signs of slowing down in either.
Aliakbari, on the other hand, is a stocky and powerful athlete that does his work in shorter bursts.
If Joynson can dictate the pace of the fight and drag it into the later rounds, the 7-1 heavyweight will be able to put the Aliakbari’s cardio to the test.
As his foe slows, Joynson can put his foot on the gas and pick him apart to try and score a late stoppage or a decision victory.
