Submission ace Garry Tonon (7-1) is out to show that he has more to his game than just grappling prowess this weekend.
“The Lion Killer” will take on undefeated Russian contender Shamil Gasanov (13-0) in the co-main event of “ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov,” the promotion’s latest showpiece set to broadcast live and free to Prime Video subscribers in North America on Friday, July 14.
Tonon became a superstar in the submission grappling world and won multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championships before he made the switch to MMA when he signed with ONE back in 2018.
Since then, the American athlete has scored finishes on the ground in six of his seven wins and amassed a fearsome reputation in the featherweight ranks.
Many fighters would be content with a healthy slate and notoriety, but the 31-year-old insists that he also has some tricks in the standup game that he’s ready to show the world.
“I feel really good about my striking, and it’s not just striking by itself, I just don’t look at the sport that way. It’s everything all mixed together,” Tonon said.
“But I feel like my standing game is very good. (It) is at an elite level, and I can hang with anybody, for the most part. I guess everybody probably feels that way to some degree, but I feel sharp, and I feel dangerous. I feel like my skills are improving constantly in a standing position.”
Of course, the No. 2-ranked contender won’t forget his roots when he steps into the ring with his No. 5-ranked opponent.
After all, a second-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and world-famous leglock game are fearsome weapons to have in your back pocket.
“When things get dicey, are you going to see me try to grapple people? Of course. It’s just going to be nature for me,” Tonon said.
“But I don’t think that’s a bad thing. That’s my wheelhouse.”
For his part, Gasanov will be looking to improve his professional record to 14-0 and seize the opportunity to push further into the stacked featherweight division.
Despite Tonon’s confidence in his striking, he knows that he and “The Cobra” will likely hit the ground and some point, and he’s backing himself to get the job done there, too.
“I don’t think he’s ever thrown a punch or kick, intending to win the fight by knockout. I think he does it because we’re fighting, but eventually, he’s looking to submit the guy,” he said.
“There’s no changing something that you’ve been doing your entire career stylistically like that. So, he’ll be more tentative when I get a hold of something, he’s going to try to rip out of it and not be in danger. But he’s still going to grapple me, he’s been doing it for his entire career.”
