The Inner Circle 24 is set to light up Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok this Friday, July 31, with a ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title defense that feels like it’s been building all year. Champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, known as “The Tormentor,” is stepping into his first title defense against an absolute monster in Elbek Alyshov, and twenty-six pounds of gold are on the line. Talk about high stakes right out of the gate!
“The Tormentor” vs. The Undefeated Finisher: A Championship Collision
Baatarkhuu’s 2025 was the stuff of legends. The dude was 36 years old and absolutely crushed it! He was a member of Team Mongolia on Netflix’s Physical: Asia, got received by President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on his return home, and then capped it all off by finishing Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade to snag that ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title. They don’t call him “The Tormentor” for nothing, right? He’s composed, physical, and dangerous in every single phase of a fight. But this Friday, he’s got a challenger who clearly didn’t get the memo about waiting his turn.
Elbek Alyshov is 27 years old, an undefeated Azerbaijani finisher, and his record is scary: 10-0 with nine finishes. That’s a ridiculous 90 percent finishing rate! He’s beaten respected contenders Carlo “The Bull” Bumina-ang and Jeremy “The Juggernaut” Pacatiw. This guy is fast, relentless, and rolling into the global stage with the kind of momentum that makes him genuinely dangerous to any World Champion. Baatarkhuu earned his moment, absolutely, but Alyshov is coming to end it. You can feel the tension already!
Former Friends, Now Foes: A Flyweight Grudge Match
If the main event isn’t enough to get you hyped, the co-main event is packing some serious personal heat. We’re talking about a flyweight Muay Thai bout between two 19-year-old phenoms, Johan “Jojo” Ghazali and Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash. These guys have known each other since they were children, competing in amateur tournaments way back in 2019 and building a loose friendship. They never actually fought because they were in different weight classes until both found their way to ONE, but now? Oh, it is absolutely on.
Ghazali, the Malaysian-American sensation, earned his six-figure contract in 2023. Ondash, the Lebanese knockout artist, secured his own contract in 2025, moved up to flyweight, won his debut in May, and then called out his old friend. Ghazali, offended at being challenged by someone who was supposed to be a friend, accepted. Whatever existed between them before July 31 no longer matters. This is personal now, and they both want to knock each other out!
What To Watch For This Friday
Beyond those two incredible headliners, The Inner Circle 24 card also features Chokpreecha PK TomTKalaiyont vs. Abdallah Ondash in a strawweight Muay Thai fight, and Salvador Velazquez Villarello vs. Asahi Shinagawa, also in strawweight Muay Thai. The action-packed event is streaming live this Friday, July 31, exclusively for members at live.onefc.com. You do not want to miss the ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title changing hands and two friendships getting demolished!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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