Alibeg Rasulov rues failed test which cost him ONE Championship title despite win
- Despite extending unbeaten record with victory over Ok Rae Yoon, he was not able to secure the belt
Alibeg Rasulov vowed not to make the same mistake again after failing to pass hydration tests cost him his chance to claim the ONE Championship interim lightweight title.
The Turkish-born, Russian fighter extended his unbeaten record to 14-0 with victory over champion Ok Rae Yoon at ONE Fight Night 23 to become the No 1 contender in the division.
Rasulov came into the fight weighing 170lbs (77kg) but failed a hydration test, which meant he did not land the belt despite the victory.
ONE Championship is the only promotion in the world which requires fighters to pass hydration tests to prove that they did not dehydrate themselves excessively to make weight, a stipulation the 31-year-old was not accustomed to.
“It’s my first time at ONE Championship, all the requirements about weight were new to me and I had to do the weight cut twice,” he said. “Of course I am disappointed but [in the] next fight I will not make the same mistake.”
Ok came into the fight with victories over Christian Lee, Eddie Alvarez and Marat Gafurov but Rasulov passed the test with flying colours as he was able to land significant strikes from close quarters, using his elbows to good effect and causing so many cuts that the doctor was briefly called to take a look at his opponent during the fourth round.
Having failed the hydration test, it means he is unlikely to be given a fight with title-holder Lee but Rasulov knows what his goal is.
“The most important thing for me is to win the belt, it will make my family and friends happy,” he added. “I want the belt so I want to fight with Christian Lee. I’m coming, he had better get ready.”
It will be up to the ONE Championship matchmakers to decide to what extent failing a hydration test undermines his title credentials.
