‘Aiming For An Early Victory’ – Elbek Alyshov, Carlo Bumina-ang Sound Off Ahead Of ONE Fight Night 37
Undefeated phenom Elbek Alyshov and surging Filipino finisher Carlo “The Bull” Bumina-ang are on a collision course that could reshape the bantamweight MMA division’s landscape.
The pair will clash in a highly anticipated showdown at ONE Fight Night 37: Kryklia vs. Agdeve on Friday, November 7, airing live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok, Thailand, with a potential path to the division’s top-five rankings hanging in the balance.
The winner will position himself for bigger opportunities as ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade prepares to defend his crown against #4-ranked Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu in the main event of ONE Fight Night 38 on December 5, the final U.S. primetime event of the year.
Alyshov Prepared For Bumina-ang’s Aggressive Approach
The undefeated Azerbaijani-Russian fighter Elbek Alyshov made a spectacular promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 34 in August 2025, submitting #5-ranked contender Jeremy Pacatiw via arm-triangle choke in the second round to improve his perfect record to 9-0.
Alyshov’s dominant victory over Pacatiw announced his arrival on the global stage in emphatic fashion. Now, he finds himself facing another dangerous test against a resurgent striker who has finished his last two opponents in devastating fashion.
Speaking to onefc.com ahead of his showdown with Bumina-ang, Alyshov reflected on his promotional debut and the statement he made against an elite contender.
The 26-year-old said:
“Fighting Jeremy was a unique experience for me. He is a very experienced fighter. He fought all over the world with the best fighters. I felt the warrior spirit in him. I was very happy to experience the emotions of victory.”
Now, Alyshov faces a completely different challenge in the 31-year-old Team Lakay standout, whose aggressive striking style and recent finishing form have made him one of the division’s most dangerous fighters.
Bumina-ang earned his six-figure ONE Championship contract by claiming five consecutive victories on ONE Friday Fights, showcasing the explosive power that has carried over into his recent performances.
For Alyshov, whose grappling-heavy approach has produced eight submission victories in nine professional fights, the matchup requires specific adjustments to his game. The undefeated star has dedicated significant training time to improving his striking and preparing for Bumina-ang’s southpaw stance and forward pressure.
The Azerbaijani-Russian explained:
“I’m working more on my striking technique and my ground and pound to add more action to my fights.
“I worked a lot in the stand-up in this camp, because my opponent is left-handed, and I need to be prepared for his aggressive approach, because he’s a real bull.”
Despite “The Bull’s” impressive knockout power and recent momentum, Alyshov remains confident that his well-rounded skill set will prove superior when they meet inside the ring. However, the undefeated fighter acknowledges that this represents the toughest test of his young career.
He offered:
“I think Carlo is a very dangerous striker, but he hasn’t faced my level of fighting.
“I don’t have any predictions. This is the first time in my career that I’ve faced such a dangerous opponent, but I’m aiming for an early victory.”
Bumina-ang Confident Striking Will Be Key To Victory
Carlo Bumina-ang has rediscovered the aggressive finishing mentality that earned him a life-changing contract with ONE Championship, and he’s determined to maintain that momentum against the undefeated Elbek Alyshov.
After suffering a third-round submission loss to Baatarkhuu – the same fighter who will challenge Andrade for the bantamweight strap in December – Bumina-ang made a crucial adjustment to his mindset.
The results have been spectacular. Back-to-back first-round TKO victories have not only rebuilt his confidence but also established a clear blueprint for success moving forward.
Bumina-ang said:
“My confidence has skyrocketed. It’s probably at 100 percent right now. Those last two wins were big for me. I learned I needed to be more aggressive. I just want to continue winning.”
That fearless mentality will be tested against Alyshov, whose perfect 9-0 record and grappling prowess make him one of the division’s most difficult puzzles to solve.
While many would approach an elite submission specialist with caution, Bumina-ang plans to impose his striking game from the opening bell.
He declared:
“I believe my powerful strikes will still be the key to victory. It’s my bread and butter. I plan to pressure him on the feet to make sure he won’t be able to impose his style on me.”
While Bumina-ang’s recent success has come exclusively through striking, he’s also proven capable of finishing fights on the ground. Against an undefeated grappler who has submitted eight of his nine professional opponents, having multiple pathways to victory could prove crucial.
However, “The Bull” makes no secret of his preferred method for victory, and he believes a striking finish would send the strongest possible message to the bantamweight division’s elite.
The Filipino finisher concluded:
“There’s a high chance I’ll finish him with my striking. But we’re also planning and working on some surprises we can hit him with on the ground. I’m confident I am a better striker, and I can stop him on the feet. I have to finish him with my strikes to send a message to the division.”
