‘I Can Beat Anyone’ – Ubaid Hussain Secures Main Roster Spot And Plots Path To The World Title

Undefeated British-Pakistani striker Ubaid “Bad” Hussain knew another big win on the global stage would earn him a US$100,000 contract, and that is exactly what he achieved at The Inner Circle 28.

He walked into Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium last Friday, August 28, with both his unbeaten record and his main roster ambitions on the line, and the 20-year-old delivered on both fronts.
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Hussain set the tone immediately in his flyweight Muay Thai clash against Isannuea Sor Sasiwat, which streamed live in Asia primetime for subscribers at live.onefc.com. He worked behind sharp footwork and a varied attack that put the Thai on the back foot from the opening exchanges.

Just before the end of the round, the Kiatphontip representative connected with a well-placed knee to the body that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas.

“When I got the body shot, I thought he wasn’t going to get up because I [hit him] clean. When he got back up, I tried to stop him, but there wasn’t enough time because I think there was about 10 seconds left in round one.

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“If it were longer, then I would have finished him. Then in the second round he recovered very well, and he came back a little bit, but we still went with the game plan, and we won the fight.”

“When I got the body shot, I thought he wasn’t going to get up because I [hit him] clean. When he got back up, I tried to stop him, but there wasn’t enough time because I think there was about 10 seconds left in round one.

“If it were longer, then I would have finished him. Then in the second round he recovered very well, and he came back a little bit, but we still went with the game plan, and we won the fight.”
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Indeed, Hussain controlled much of the action across the second and third stanzas. The Leeds resident mixed clean punches and elbows behind constant movement to leave his opponent searching for answers.

The bout went the distance, but the outcome never felt in doubt, and the judges confirmed as much with a unanimous decision in his favor. The win moved “Bad” to 17-0 overall and an outstanding 8-0 in ONE Championship.

There was more to celebrate than just the result. It also delivered the reward he had been chasing since his debut on the weekly Asia primetime series.

“We already knew we won the fight, but I didn’t expect to get the contract. I was thinking about it, and I was just happy that I won. When Mitch came in, I was quite surprised, but I kind of thought I was going to get the contract.

“I’ve been waiting for a long time and always wanted it. I was very happy…but in the moment, I didn’t know what to say. I was so shocked and happy and stuff. I’m grateful to ONE Championship for giving me this opportunity.”

“We already knew we won the fight, but I didn’t expect to get the contract. I was thinking about it, and I was just happy that I won. When Mitch came in, I was quite surprised, but I kind of thought I was going to get the contract.

“I’ve been waiting for a long time and always wanted it. I was very happy…but in the moment, I didn’t know what to say. I was so shocked and happy and stuff. I’m grateful to ONE Championship for giving me this opportunity.”
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For some fighters, a US$100,000 contract would be the moment to exhale. Hussain, by contrast, sounds like someone who has barely started.

The flyweight Muay Thai division remains one of the deepest and most competitive in the sport, packed with world-class talent from top to bottom. The youngster understands the level only rises from here, and he is already outlining exactly how he plans to keep pace.

“I’m going to train harder, get stronger, and be ready for the next challenge. I want to improve my power. I want to be able to pick my shots and land every shot. I can do better, and in my next fight I will show improvements.”

“I’m going to train harder, get stronger, and be ready for the next challenge. I want to improve my power. I want to be able to pick my shots and land every shot. I can do better, and in my next fight I will show improvements.”
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That hunger for improvement extends well beyond his own game. Ubaid Hussain has also begun looking ahead at exactly who and where he wants to fight next.

Ask him for a preference, and the answer stays consistent with what he told ringside commentator Mitch “The Dragon” Chilson shortly after his career-defining victory at The Inner Circle 28.

“It’s the same as what I told Mitch – anyone, everyone. I’m ready whenever, and I’m ready for any challenge.

“I’m ready to fight on the Japan card, or I want to fight on the Qatar card as well next year. And hopefully Chatri [Sityodtong] can get me on there, and I will perform at my best. We’re going to take over.”

“It’s the same as what I told Mitch – anyone, everyone. I’m ready whenever, and I’m ready for any challenge.

“I’m ready to fight on the Japan card, or I want to fight on the Qatar card as well next year. And hopefully Chatri [Sityodtong] can get me on there, and I will perform at my best. We’re going to take over.”
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Beyond the next opponent, there is a bigger picture the British-Pakistani standout has already begun building toward.

Reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev currently sits atop the division, and the Leeds striker has made clear exactly where he sees his trajectory heading.

“I want to keep working my way up towards the top and fight for the belt against Aasadula. I know I can beat anyone and everyone in this division. I just need to show it and perform my best.

“And any time I perform, like an eight out of 10, nine out of 10, and 10 out of 10 performance, I’m always going to win 100 percent. [ONE] just needs to give me these opportunities, and I’ll be ready.”

“I want to keep working my way up towards the top and fight for the belt against Aasadula. I know I can beat anyone and everyone in this division. I just need to show it and perform my best.

“And any time I perform, like an eight out of 10, nine out of 10, and 10 out of 10 performance, I’m always going to win 100 percent. [ONE] just needs to give me these opportunities, and I’ll be ready.”
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