His grandfather brought him to the gym at 10 years old. The trainer happened to be a relative. The first session turned into nine years of work, a 10-2 career record, and a debut on the biggest stage in Muay Thai.

Khakimov “Warrior” Anisjon faces two-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion Kongsuk Sitsarawatsuer in the bantamweight Muay Thai main event of ONE Friday Fights 156, streaming live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on May 29.

The 19-year-old Petchsaman Gym product stands 5-foot-11 and brings a 10-2 career record. He brings a long, controlling style into his debut against one of the weekly series’ most seasoned performers.

Kongsuk arrives on a three-fight promotional winning streak with 69 career victories. He also has two Lumpinee Stadium World Titles and a razor-sharp left body kick that has finished opponents at every level he has faced.

For Anisjon, stepping into a main event on debut at Lumpinee Stadium carries a specific weight. He described what competing in ONE means to him and made no effort to hide how large the moment feels.

“I am very happy to be here and to fight in ONE Championship because it is one of the best promotions in the world. I am also very happy to be fighting in the main event,” he said.

“My grandfather brought me to a boxing gym when I was 10 years old. That’s when I started training in Muay Thai because my grandfather’s cousin was a Muay Thai trainer.”

Khakimov Anisjon wants to follow Avazbek Kholmirzaev’s path to Uzbek history at ONE Friday Fights 156

Khakimov Anisjon has not arrived at Lumpinee Stadium without preparation. He spent his training camp breaking down Kongsuk’s movement patterns and tendencies. He designed a specific answer for the southpaw veteran’s forward pressure and body work.

Beyond Friday night, Anisjon has already mapped out where he wants this career to go. Fellow Uzbek Avazbek Kholmirzaev claimed the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE SAMURAI 1 in April. He became the latest in a growing line of Uzbek world champions in combat sports. Anisjon wants to write the same story in Muay Thai.

“I have been watching Kongsuk’s fight videos and studying his fighting style. I’m learning how he fights in the ring and how he carries himself, and I’ve been working on that in training. That’s part of my game plan, and I want to show that I can do something too,” he said.

“My biggest goal is to win the [ONE Championship] belt and bring it back to Uzbekistan, just like Avazbek [Kholmirzaev] did.”