Black Belt Team 
Dmitry Menshikov will make his ONE Championship debut in the biggest and most challenging way possible. The Russian will step into a main event slot against Regian Eersel for the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE Fight Night 11 on June 9.
While that pressure could break some athletes, Menshikov is walking into the title tilt, ready to shock the world.
“ONE Championship is the best organization in the world where all the best and top fighters are gathered. I think everyone dreams of getting into this organization, and this has also been my goal to get there and win the belt,” Menshikov told ONE.
“I was offered the title bout in my debut, and I immediately agreed. I don’t have any feelings except confidence. I want to prove that I’m number one.”
As a two-sport World Champion, Eersel has commanded respect as one of the best pound-for-pound strikers on the planet. However, the 25-year-old contender does not put him on a pedestal.
Menshikov respects his accomplishments but does not see an unbeatable king sitting on his throne.
“I consider [Eersel] one of the best fighters in the world. I think he has already proved it by taking the belt in kickboxing in such an organization as ONE Championship, as well as in Muay Thai. And [he did it] despite the fact he is a basic kickboxer,” the Russian said.
“In my career, I have met top and very strong fighters, and I don’t think Eersel is any better or stronger than them. He is just a fighter like all the rest. I don’t see anything special about him.”
To say Menshikov is confident could be an understatement, but that comes from riding high heading into his ONE debut.
The 25-year-old believes he can force Eersel into his game and come out the other side with a World Championship over his shoulder.
“I know how to get to him, how to dictate my rules, how to be the boss in the ring. I want him to play by my rules,” Menshikov said.
“I actually don’t bet either on a knockout or a judges’ decision. Yes, I have the KO power. I know how to hit and reach him, but I also have a plan for a five-round fight in case of a prolonged fight.”
“I’m going to win in both cases. I’m going to stop his winning streak.”
But Menshikov has other goals in mind and a stern message for Eersel.
If victorious, after ONE Fight Night 11, the Russian athlete simply stated that he wants to take Eersel’s other title and embark on his own journey to defend both titles and establish a historic legacy.
“I want to take the belt both in Muay Thai and kickboxing. I want to deprive him of all his titles and take them for myself. This will be a huge victory for myself, my family, and my city,” Menshikov said.
“But I’m not going to stop there. I will have to defend these belts. I will have to train more, work harder, and also take belts in other weight classes as well.”
ONE Fight Night 11 airs live on June 9 on Prime Video. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is free for all Amazon Prime members based in the U.S. and Canada.
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