Russian knockout machine Timofey Nastyukhin has his sights firmly set on the ONE Lightweight World Title, and the 28-year-old is prepared to take on anyone to achieve his goal.
Nastyukhin has returned to form after returning to action from a broken leg, outpointing former title challenger Koji Ando in August 2017, and Amir Khan in February this year.
Now he is preparing to face Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES in Jakarta on 22 September, Nastyukhin looks back at the path taken to reach this pivotal stage of his career.
“Each victory is very important for me. I always train to give it my best. I prepare to fight each guy as if he is a World Champion,” he explains.
“Fighting Amir Khan was no more or no less important than fighting anyone else. Tactically, though, it was my task to follow a special plan. The plan was to put pressure on Amir and make him play by my rules. The plan was executed well.”
That win over Khan came shortly after he became a father to a baby girl, and Nastyukhin admits life has become even busier following his family’s new arrival.
“After the fight, I relaxed with my wife and my baby, who was born when I was away in Thailand training for the last fight,” he recalls.
“When I saw her for the first time, she was already one and a half months old.
“I soon went back to my normal schedule of training twice a day, every day from Monday to Saturday with Sundays off, but there were changes. Before she was born, I could relax between morning and evening sessions.
“Suddenly, things got hectic. I would come back home exhausted, but relaxing was not on the cards anymore – it was time to play with the baby, and to help my wife.
“At first, it was really tough. But soon, I got used to it. Now, my little girl is getting bigger and bigger, and she greets me with a huge smile every time I come back from training. Her smile has changed my world. When I look at her, I know that this is what’s worth living and fighting for.”
Nastyukhin has surged into contention on the back of his relentless style and hard-hitting stand-up game. But the Russian has been looking to round out his game by dedicating more time to other aspects of his skillset.
“I still spend a lot of time perfecting my striking, as my knockout power is one of my strengths,” he reveals.
“Recently, I have been adding wrestling classes to my schedule – working on offence and defence, learning how to control on top and against the fence, holding, grappling, et cetera. As a result, I feel much more comfortable on the ground now.”
Nastyukhin says he’s expecting a “classic wrestler-versus-striker bout,” and his preparations have uncovered holes in the Turkish contender’s game. But he says he won’t reveal what they are until he steps into the cage on the night.
“Saygid is younger, but he is the real deal. He is a top prospect,” he states.
“He is a strong-willed fighter with good striking and good wrestling skills. I will not give away all the details of my game plan, but I think I have found his weaknesses. I know how to defeat this guy.
“Everyone who is interested in how exactly I am going to handle him should tune in on 22 September, and watch the live broadcast from Jakarta. I will do everything possible – and impossible – to win the fight. As always, I will step inside the cage with only one mission – the victory.”
Many believe an impressive victory against Arslanaliev could see Nastyukhin handed a shot at the ONE Lightweight Title in his next bout, but the 28-year-old says he is taking nothing for granted, especially with a dangerous opponent in front of him.
“Let’s not put the cart before the horse,” he warns.
“Now, I am focused on fighting Saygid. My main goal is to win on 22 September, but every matchmaker and manager at ONE knows that I am ready to fight for the belt.
“I have been at ONE Championship for long enough to deserve a shot. I have fought all the top guys, I have earned my stripes, and I need my chance.”
