In a remarkable turn of events, Turkish MMA sensation Dzhabir Dzhabrailov pulled off a stunning first-round comeback to knock out American powerhouse Chase Mann, while Muay Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao delivered a breathtaking walk-off head-kick knockout of Elmehdi El Jamari in the co-main event at ONE Fight Night 42. Prior to this bout, Dzhabrailov had never faced a true test in his professional MMA career, with six battles and six finishes under his belt, including four consecutive first-round finishes.
The 21-year-old Turkish phenom was put to the test against Chase "Mannimal" Mann in the main event, and despite encountering significant adversity, he emerged victorious. The American powerhouse took control of the action from the opening bell, dragging Dzhabrailov to the mat and pinning him against the ropes, showcasing his immense strength.
However, Dzhabrailov managed to stand up, avoid a single-leg takedown attempt, and circle away from his opponent. As the fight progressed, Dzhabrailov fended off Mann's attacks, created distance, and landed several hard shots, including a left hook that caught Mann flush, leading to a knockout at 2:31 of round one. This victory extended Dzhabrailov's flawless record to 7-0 and marked his fifth consecutive first-round stoppage win, positioning him for a potential shot at Christian Lee's ONE Welterweight MMA world title. Meanwhile, 42-year-old Sam-A Gaiyanghadao proved that age is just a number with a captivating second-round knockout of Elmehdi 'The Sniper' El Jamari in the strawweight Muay Thai co-main event.
Despite being knocked down, Sam-A remained patient and waited for El Jamari's aggression to create openings, ultimately landing a walk-off head kick that left his opponent spark out on the canvas. This victory earned Sam-A a $50,000 performance bonus and could place him back into contention for the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai world title.