Paul Elliott, the 34‑year‑old heavyweight from Middlesbrough, is setting his sights on a career‑defining chance to fight for the ONE Championship world heavyweight crown if he can overcome Shamil Erdogan at ONE Fight Night 48 on October 2. The bout will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and the winner is expected to be offered a shot at the vacant ONE heavyweight title, a belt most recently held by Anatoly Malykhin before his retirement. Elliott comes into the contest with an impressive 8‑2 record, all eight wins coming by way of knockout.
He made headlines in June when he matched ONE’s record for the fastest knockout, dispatching Regan Upshaw in just six seconds. When asked by Sky Sports whether he could replicate that lightning‑fast finish, Elliott was candid: “I’m probably going to struggle to match that,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong – as soon as the bell rings I always look to finish the fight.
That’s what I’m known for. But Erdogan knows that now, so he’ll likely try to survive the first ten seconds at least.” Erdogan, who is two years older than Elliott, was born in Russia but now fights under the Turkish flag. He presents Elliott with his toughest test to date.
“I think it’s going to be a great fight,” Elliott remarked. “He’s very skilled, I’m very skilled. Because he’s well‑rounded, I expect the fight to go beyond the opening round. He’s resilient, and while I’m explosive and fast, he’s technically sound.
It could turn into a chess match.” Elliott also speculated on Erdogan’s strategy, suggesting the Turkish fighter might look to grapple: “He’ll probably try to wrestle me. I could be wrong, but that’s what I think he’ll attempt.” Both combatants understand how a single strike can change the trajectory of a heavyweight bout. “At heavyweight, one shot can change everything,” Elliott said. “We’ll both be extremely focused, and I think the result will be a razor‑thin victory for one side.
I don’t see a draw, and I don’t think it will go the full distance. One of us will have our hand raised before the final bell, and that winner will earn the title shot.” Looking beyond the immediate fight, Elliott identified Canada’s Ben Tynan as a likely contender for the vacant heavyweight championship should he advance past Erdogan. “Ben Tynan is the name that springs to mind as a possible opponent for the belt,” Elliott explained.
“It would be a massive achievement just to fight for a title, let alone win it. It would completely change my life.” Elliott reflected on how joining ONE Championship has already elevated his profile. “Fighting for ONE has definitely taken my career to a new level,” he said.
“Even casual fans are starting to notice me, which is cool. But becoming a world champion would go down in history – it’s the pinnacle of the sport.
Honestly, if I can do that, it will be the best thing I’ve ever done.” The event on October 2 will also showcase a pivotal Muay Thai clash between Luke Lessei and Charlie Guest, a bout with significant implications for the feather‑weight title picture. The victor could earn a future shot at Nico Carrillo’s championship.
Guest, an Englishman with a 38‑15 record, debuted in ONE in June and earned a second‑round TKO over Sam Fitzgerald. Lessei, an American with a 9‑3 record, comes off a July victory over Mohamed Younes Rabah. Both fighters are eager to position themselves as the next challenger for the feather‑weight belt. Overall, ONE Fight Night 48 promises a night of high‑stakes matchups across multiple disciplines.
For Elliott, the night could mark the turning point from a knockout‑focused contender to a world champion, a transition that would not only reshape his personal narrative but also cement his name among the sport’s elite. Whether he secures the win against Erdogan or falls short, the bout underscores the thin margin between triumph and disappointment in heavyweight MMA, where a single moment can rewrite a fighter’s destiny.