After a year-long absence from the electrifying world of the ONE Championship Circle, Singaporean MMA sensation Amir Khan is back, and he’s determined to silence the retirement rumors that have been swirling around him.
“It was just an assumption, as I was relatively quiet in the past year. I guess that fueled the speculation that I was retiring,” Khan candidly revealed. However, retirement is far from his mind.
Khan’s highly anticipated return will see him face off against the Philippines’ own Eduard Folayang at ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs. Ham. The event promises to be a heart-pounding spectacle, broadcasting live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Approaching the rematch with unwavering confidence, Khan stated, “I’m ready. I’m approaching this like every other fight I’ve had in the past. In order to climb back to the top, you have to prove it with a statement. This match is the statement.”
Folayang, now a member of the Lions Nation MMA team, is no ordinary opponent. “This is an important match for me. He [Folayang] is a legend of the sport, that is why I need to win,” Khan emphasized.
Khan’s journey in the MMA world began in 2014, quickly establishing him as a fearsome striker known for delivering jaw-dropping finishes. At one point, Khan even held the record for the most knockouts in ONE Championship, currently sharing the second-most knockout victories in the organization with former two-division ONE World Champion Aung La N Sang at nine.
“I used to have three to four matches a year, but I took a short hiatus. But I’m back, and I’m as sharp as ever,” Khan confidently asserted.
Undoubtedly, Khan’s path back to the Circle has been paved with intense training sessions. He’s returned to the prestigious Evolve MMA in Singapore, a place where champions are molded. This time, Khan leaves no stone unturned, ensuring he’s prepared for every possible scenario.
Assisting him in this rigorous journey is none other than Evolve MMA Instructor Adam Shahir Kayoom, a true pioneer of MMA in Asia and ONE Championship.
Kayoom showered Khan with praise, saying, “Amir has a very high fight intelligence. He understands his body well. It’s very instinctive for him. When I give him instructions with regards to reactions and drills, he does it a couple of times and he understands it immediately thereafter.”
Despite his absence from competitive MMA bouts since August 2022, Khan’s training camp has proven that he hasn’t lost his edge. “It was like water on a duck’s back, man. It’s so easy for him,” Kayoom added.
This rematch has been brewing for nearly five years, and Khan has his eyes firmly set on capturing a ONE Championship World Title. His fans, brimming with anticipation, expect nothing less than a spectacular performance.
“He’s [Amir] so eager, and he’s so strong, the idea is to get him to be patient,” Kayoom said. “We’ve looked at his opponent’s previous fights, and we have a game plan. I’m confident Amir is going to pull this off.”
With both Khan and Folayang determined to make a statement, this upcoming rematch isn’t just a return for Khan; it’s a chance for redemption against a familiar foe.
“The hard training is done, but I’m still pushing every day to stay healthy and mentally sharp so that I can focus on that day,” Khan said. “I’m at 100 percent now, and I’ll be at 100 percent then.”
The MMA world eagerly awaits Amir Khan’s triumphant return, and he’s gearing up to make a resounding statement in the ONE Championship Circle once again.
