Tagir Khalilov has pulled off a stunning turnaround in ONE Championship lately, and he gets a huge opportunity to capitalize on his scintillating run of form at ONE Fight Night 12 on July 14.

“Samingpri” will face ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 in a flyweight muay Thai battle in the evening’s main event, and he’ll look to score his third win from as many fights when he steps into action inside the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Before Khalilov returns to ONE for the second time this year in a few short weeks, we break down how the Russian star got to where he is in “The Home of Martial Arts” – and what lies ahead in his upcoming battle.

A baptism of fire

Khalilov was thrown straight to the wolves in his ONE debut in 2021, but he handled the challenge with style.

Facing ONE flyweight muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in kickboxing action, Khalilov fought valiantly and took “The Iron Man” all the way to a split decision.

Although he came up short on the scorecards, the 30-year-old won the hearts of fans with his fearless performance.

“Samingpri” then stepped up for his a sophomore appearance on short notice, taking Denis Puric last October.

Puric went on to win by unanimous decision, but Khalilov showed his mettle by fighting right to the final bell.

Finding his feet – or hands

Despite two impressive performances in his opening fights, the Russian striking star wasn’t happy with where he was in his ONE tenure by the end of 2022.

Luckily, he got the chance to score some redemption at ONE’s final show off the year.

Khaliov stepped in to face Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi at ONE 164 last December, and he needed just one round to dispatch the respected Thai with a show-stopping uppercut.

Now in the winner’s column, he kicked his 2023 campaign off in style in March, scoring a second first-round knockout against another Thai star in Black Panther at ONE Friday Fights 9.

Having seemingly put away the showboating tactic he was known to employ, Khalilov’s new all-business approach has served him well as he surges toward the flyweight muay Thai top five.

A massive test

If a top five opponent was what Khalilov was looking for in his next battle, he has certainly got his wish at ONE Fight Night 12.

Superlek is both the flyweight kickboxing king and number one muay Thai contender, and he is easily one of the biggest names on the ONE roster today.

“The Kicking Machine” is riding a wave of momentum off the back of his six-fight winning streak, and he’s gunning for a shot at a belt in a second sport.

Superlek made short work of teenage prodigy Nabil Anane at ONE Friday Fights 22 on June 23, and he seems unstoppable, but “Samingpri” has all the tools in his belt to cause a shock upset on July 14.

And a meteoric rise to the top will come about if he does.