Kiamrian Abbasov Comes Back to Finish James Nakashima at One: Inside The Matrix 2

WHAT A COMEBACK! Kiamrian Abbasov retains the ONE Welterweight World Title with a fourth-round knockout of James Nakashima! #InsideTheMatrix2 #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/K8G2U3Xyet

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) November 6, 2020

The One Championship welterweight belt returned to Kyrgyzstan after the dust settled at One: Inside the Matrix 2.

The card’s main event saw Kiamrian Abbasov put his welterweight belt on the line against the undefeated James Nakashima. The challenger started strong in the opening rounds, breaking the nose of the champ with one of his combinations. Despite the injury, Abbasov bit the bullet and tried his best to ride out Nakashima offense. The American dominated the first few rounds, especially on the ground.

In the fourth stanza, Abbasov felt the urgency to make a statement. After recovering from an involuntary low blow, Abbasov rushed towards his opponent. Nakashima changed levels for a takedown, but the defending champion timed a counter knee that wobbled Nakashima’s legs. Smelling blood, Abbasov chased his opponent across the cage with several knees and punches. Nakashima shot in for desperation takedowns, but Abbasov stuffed all his attempts and kept landing. The referee stepped in as Nakashima was grabbing one of Abbasov’s legs. The official stoppage arrived at the 3:27 mark of Round 4.

Hunting for that takedown! #InsideTheMatrix2 #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship

Watch ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX II https://t.co/WRXnH60xcr pic.twitter.com/Pf0zv3UXmh

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) November 6, 2020

In the co-main event, Timofey Nastyukhin captured a unanimous verdict over Pieter Buist. The Dutchman intelligently used his reach advantage in the early going, keeping his opponent at distance with effective kicks and punches. It only took one errant kick for Nastyukhin to cast “The Archangel” down and put his back on the canvas, where the Russian began to dominate from top position. Nastyukhin continued the same gameplan throughout most of the remainder of the fight, until Buist made adjustments and stayed upright. Nastyukhin’s relentlessness made the difference as he continued to press his opponent until time ran out. Eventually, all three judges rewarded Nastyukhin with a rare decision victory.

The rest of the card featured quick finishes as Yuya Wakamatsu flattened Kyu Sung Kim with one punch at 1:46 of the first round; Eko Roni Saputra submitted Ramon Gonzales via rear-naked choke at the 4:07 mark of Round 1; and Meng Bo smashed Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol with a right hand at 1:26 of the opening frame.