Isi Fitikefu (7-0) could very well be Australia’s next MMA superstar, and this Friday, he will get his chance to prove it.
The undefeated Aussie makes his ONE Championship debut against Kyrgyz submission ace Ruslan Emilbek Uulu (19-3) at “ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs. Lee,” which fans can watch live and for free with an Amazon Prime subscription.
“Doxz” has had a hard time finding matches in his home country as of late, but he still managed to capture three regional titles in his seven-fight professional career thus far. This weekend, however, the 30-year-old will finally step into the spotlight.
The much-avoided Fitikefu wasn’t always the intimidating MMA fighter we see today. In fact, the New Zealand-born slugger had to conquer his own fear in order to even get started in martial arts.
“Growing up in New Zealand, I looked up to boxers like David Tua and Mark Hunt. I didn’t know them, but they grew up in the same neighborhood, so I always looked up to guys like that,” he said.
“Since I was a kid, I always wanted to do it, but I was too shy. I was a shy kid, too shy to go out and join a boxing gym or karate gym. But as I got older, I grew a bit of confidence and started training. I started with jiu-jitsu, then I got into boxing, kickboxing, and eventually mixed martial arts.”
Awaiting Fitikefu when he makes his walk to the ONE circle will be Uulu. The “Snow Leopard,” as he is called, holds a 19-3 professional record and most recently submitted American rising star Ben Wilhelm at ONE on Prime Video 3 last month.
While respectful of his opponent’s skillset, Fitikefu is not concerned about the next man who stands across from him. All the Gracie Smeaton Grange representative wants at the end of the day is a fight.
“To me, it didn’t matter who the opponent was. My goal was just get me to the fight, I’ll do the rest,” he said.
“Obviously, he’s a tough dude and from what I’ve seen, he looks like he’s a strong grappler with some decent striking. But the gameplan doesn’t change from this person to another person. The mindset and gameplan are always the same – just get me to the fight, let me put my hands on them, and hit them. Then, let the rest take care of itself.
“I don’t know what his weaknesses are, you don’t know until you get in there. But from what I see, he relies a lot on his grappling, pretty much. I’d say he doesn’t have a good chin, which makes it better for me to see if I can do something with it.”
This is a big moment for the undefeated slugger, who views this as the next step of the legacy he wants to build.
A victory here could lead him to matches with other major stars who are in the promotion, like former two-division KSW champion Roberto Solidic, undefeated Dagestani Murad Ramazanov, and even the winner of the ONE on Prime Video 4 main event.
But for “Doxz,” it’s more than capturing a ONE world title.
Proudly of Tongan heritage, Fitikefu knows that he has an opportunity to not only scale the heights of ONE Championship, but also to be a role model to other young Tongans.
“I want to cement (my) legacy, to be the best fighter. Especially for my country, Tonga,” he said.
“We’re known for Rugby League, but not really known too much for combat sports. We’re a small country, but proud, if I can be one of the best fighters of my generation, I’ll be happy. World champion or best fighter of my generation.
“In Tonga, there’s potential for a lot of great athletes there, but not many role models. If they can see that one Tongan kid can do it, then someone will follow. I just want to lead by example.”
But first Fitikefu must handle business at ONE on Prime Video 4, and he plans to do it in style.
“The more you watch me, the more you’re going to see. Just a lot of big punches, a lot of good grappling. Expect a good show,” he said.
“My mindset is to put this guy out in one, two, or three (rounds). It doesn’t matter. He’s not going all three.”
