Garry Tonon vs. Shamil Gasanov: Fighters predict ONE Fight Night 12 co-headliner

Some of ONE Championship’s finest have been sounding off on the pivotal featherweight MMA contest between Garry Tonon (7-1) and Shamil Gasanov (13-0) this weekend.

The No. 2 and No. 5-ranked divisional contenders will lock horns in the co-main event of “ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Gasanov” this Friday, July 14, with the victor strengthening their case for a shot at divisional king Tang Kai.

Here is who the fighters are picking to take home the win at the intriguing spectacle, which goes out live and free to Prime Video subscribers in North America.

Martin Nguyen: Garry Tonon

Former two-division ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen is siding with No. 2-ranked contender Garry Tonon.

“The Situ Asian” feels that experience will play a big factor for the 10-fight ONE veteran.

 “I feel that it’s going to be more of a standup fight, and if it does go to the ground, it would be Gasanov who initiates that. But it’s a dangerous game to play when you’re fighting someone like Garry Tonon. He’s come from a complete grappling and jiu-jitsu background, and the leg locks are a huge factor. Not only just the normal chokes and arm locks,” Nguyen said.

 “If it becomes like a grappling match or an MMA match in general, I feel like Garry has got the upper hand because he got that experience.”

Thanh Le: Garry Tonon

Former ONE featherweight world champion Thanh Le also believes the American grappling star will take home the win.

Le points to his compatriot’s lengthy career and says it will give him the edge over Gasanov, who is appearing in only his second battle under the ONE banner.

“This always plays out with grappler versus grappler. I think it’s going to play out on the feet a little more than fans really want to see, to be honest with you. Then towards the later part of the fight, I think we’ll wind up getting into the ground and watching these guys in action. It’s going to be a really fun one, man,” he said.

“I like the way Garry grapples. Obviously you can tell, and I’m more familiar with his game because I had to research them for our fight. But I’m leaning towards Garry on this one for his overall well-rounded skills and his level of competition over the last however many years.”

Reece McLaren: Garry Tonon

Fourth-ranked flyweight contender Reece McLaren followed suit in choosing Tonon, claiming that the former world title challenger’s much-vaunted leg lock game will net him a sixth submission win as a ONE athlete.

“I got Tonon by leg lock, but he will enter smarter than when he fought Le,” he said.

Danial Williams: Shamil Gasanov

Aussie-Thai sensation Danial Williams is bucking the trend of his fellow ONE superstars.

“Mini T” believes that Gasanov will bring a more well-rounded skill set to Friday’s tussle, allowing him to score the win and improve his professional record to 14-0.

“I think Shamil has him inside three rounds. He’s good everywhere,” Williams said.

“I think he could be the next champ, but we definitely need to see more of him.”

Isi Fitikefu: Garry Tonon

Isi Fitikefu predicts a shocking end to the co-main event blockbuster, and he claims Tonon will be the one to deliver it inside the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

The welterweight wonder surmises that even though both men are lauded for their skills on the canvas, “The Lion Killer” will take the win by knockout.

“I say Gary Tonon via TKO standing. He’s going to surprise us all,” Fitikefu said.