An intriguing rematch between middleweight MMA contenders is heading to the picturesque Lusail Sports Arena at ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20.

Former two-division ONE World Champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang will look for revenge against undefeated Turkish sensation Shamil Erdogan, with both men eager to earn a shot at reigning divisional king Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin.

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“The Burmese Python” is one of the most beloved and experienced superstars in ONE Championship history. A veteran of 20 thrilling battles in the world’s largest martial arts organization, he previously held the ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Titles.

In 2022 and 2023, Aung La N Sang put together an impressive three-fight winning streak that featured a trio of highlight-reel finishes. But last September at ONE 168: Denver, the veteran knockout artist suffered a disappointing second-round stoppage loss to Erdogan.

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The 39-year-old will have his chance to avenge that defeat in Qatar – but it will be no easy task.

Born and bred in the mountains of Dagestan and now representing Turkey, Erdogan has utilized his elite wrestling and savage finishing instincts to amass a pristine 10-0 professional MMA record and cement himself as one of the sport’s most feared rising stars.

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Prior to defeating Aung La N Sang in Denver, the Kremost Fight Club representative scored a sensational second-round TKO against Chinese powerhouse Fan Rong, emphatically announcing his presence in ONE Championship.

Erdogan will now enjoy the opportunity to fight close to home, erase any doubts that he’s the superior fighter in this matchup, and emerge as the middleweight MMA division’s top contender.

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Aung La N Sang, meanwhile, is undoubtedly motivated to bounce back – and given his mountain of top-level experience and show-stopping power, he has all the tools needed to even the score with Erdogan.

Check onefc.com for all the news and announcements about ONE 171: Qatar on February 20.

“The final was really intense; the Chinese were breathing down our necks throughout the game and made it really difficult for us to create a clear goal scoring chance,” Harmanpreet said in a Hockey India release.

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