‘Ready To Close The Show’ – Nakrob, Gheirati Set For Explosive Bantamweight Collision At ONE Fight Night 48
· Yahoo Sports
While Thai veteran Nakrob Fairtex has fully embraced the value of patience, Iranian firecracker Parham Gheirati still favors a much more direct approach.
Visit betsport24.es for more information.
These competing philosophies will collide in a pivotal bantamweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 48: Erdogan vs. Elliott on Prime Video, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime on Friday, October 2, from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
View this post on Instagram
Both men step into the ring looking to answer pressing questions about their current trajectories. Nakrob wants to prove his newfound discipline translates flawlessly to a heavier weight class, while Gheirati is itching to show his rehabilitated body can still deliver genuine knockout power.
With so much on the line, neither man can afford to leave anything to chance.
Nakrob Trusts Patience Over Instinct
Nakrob’s recent triumph over Jacob Smith carried far more weight than the official record shows. He entered the make-or-break bout on a painful three-fight skid, with serious questions swirling about his place at the elite level.
Fans know the Fairtex Training Center standout as a relentless gunslinger who thrives on chaotic, all-out exchanges. Against the Englishman, however, he showcased something else entirely.
The performance was calculated, patient, and deliberately restrained. By Nakrob’s own admission, every bit of that was completely by design.
He explained:
“I felt immense pressure. I was on a three-fight losing streak, so losing again would’ve made it really tough to stay in the big show.
“Overall, all three rounds went completely according to plan. I barely took any clean hits, while landing a ton of punches and kicks, which ultimately earned me the decision win.”
View this post on Instagram
With his confidence fully renewed, Nakrob now turns his attention to Gheirati, who returns after nearly a year away due to injury.
Despite the Iranian’s lengthy layoff, Nakrob refuses to treat him as a wounded target. Gheirati carries real, fight-ending danger, having racked up six straight victories before his lone promotional setback against former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon. He subsequently atoned for that loss with a highlight-reel knockout over Tyson “John Wayne Noi” Harrison.
Acutely aware of Gheirati’s penchant for exploding in violent bursts, the Thai has built his preparation around close-quarters exchanges. That is the exact phase where he believes he holds a distinct advantage.
The 27-year-old Nakrob said:
“Parham is a fantastic fighter who can adapt to any style, and his punches are extremely dangerous, both fast and heavy.
“My strategy will be similar to my last fight against Jacob: focus on timing my strikes, use my ring awareness and Muay Thai experience to counter step-by-step, and stay extra cautious without taking unnecessary risks.”
View this post on Instagram
Now settling into a new physical identity, Nakrob is aggressively chasing another highlight reel finish, and Gheirati’s undeniable name value only sweetens the pursuit.
Heading into just his second fight in the heavier weight class, early returns have already convinced him the move was the right call.
Nakrob added:
“While I might not throw strikes as fast in this weight class, I’ve gained a lot more power in return. During training, my strikes felt so much heavier that I actually surprised myself. I’ve never hit this hard before.
“Even with a tactical approach, my goal every time I step into the ring is to get the finish. In this weight class, I’m confident that if I land a clean shot, anyone can go down. If Parham leaves an opening, I’m ready to close the show immediately.”
View this post on Instagram
Gheirati Feels Sharper Than Ever
Gheirati suffered a severe sparring mishap roughly 10 months ago, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just weeks before his bout with Harrison.
Rather than withdraw, the 22-year-old bravely fought the hard-hitting Australian while completely compromised. He shelved his trademark kicks entirely, heavily leaning on an elevated boxing and clinch game to reveal a far more multifaceted offense.
Instead of pushing his luck further, Gheirati wisely shut things down afterward for a full medical recovery. Now, he insists he isn’t just fully healed, but noticeably stronger than before.
He shared:
“After ACL surgery, some people said, ‘You’ll never be like before. It’s going to be a long time before you can fight again.’ But my body recovered so well and so fast.
“I have stability, and I have balance in my knee, and I feel good. I’m very self-confident in my knee, even if I take a strong low kick. Everything is good.”
View this post on Instagram
Turning his attention to Nakrob, Gheirati doesn’t fully buy into the Thai’s fearsome reputation. Rather, he sees a glass cannon — a fighter who hits incredibly hard but cannot take it in return.
Instead of backing away from Nakrob’s trademark forward pressure, the Petsaman affiliate actively welcomes it.
He stated:
“He doesn’t close his guard so well. His hands are good, but he never covers himself all the way up. He doesn’t move his head too much, and he doesn’t have good footwork. I will knock him out if he gives me the chance.
“If an opponent tries to come forward and come close to me, that’s my favorite style. He’s gonna get my power. I can finish anyone inside.”
View this post on Instagram
While fully focused on the immediate task at hand, Gheirati views Nakrob as just the first step on a much longer road back to the top.
The sting of his sole promotional defeat to Rambolek haunts him to this day. Even so, the Iranian phenom insists a fractured mental state cost him that matchup, not any real gap in physical skill.
Dispatching Nakrob serves as the vital first step toward settling that score. More importantly, a spectacular victory this Friday would ultimately help clear his path toward 26 pounds of gold against newly crowned ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri.
Gheirati concluded:
“Every night, I’m thinking about a rematch with Rambolek. I have eight fights and only lost to Rambolek. I want a rematch.
“Now I feel good. Everything is ready, my body is ready. Mentally, I’m better. I’ll fight everybody in the rankings. I want to fight for the ONE Championship belt.”
View this post on Instagram