Amir Aliakbari Released from ONE Championship Following Recent Defeat

ONE Championship has parted ways with heavyweight contender Amir Aliakbari, marking the end of his tenure in the promotion. The Iranian powerhouse was officially cut from the roster over the weekend, bringing an abrupt halt to his aspirations in the division.

Aliakbari last competed at ONE 169 in November 2024 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, where he suffered a devastating first-round submission loss to 14-time BJJ World Champion Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida. The loss snapped a four-fight winning streak that had revitalized his career following a tough start in ONE.

The 37-year-old made his promotional debut with high expectations but faced immediate setbacks, losing his first two fights to Kang Ji Won and two-division champion Anatoly Malykhin. Determined to turn things around, Aliakbari embarked on a dominant run, securing four consecutive victories.

His resurgence began in August 2022 with a second-round TKO win over Mauro Cerilli at ONE on Prime Video 1. Later that year, he clashed with former ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion Brandon Vera in a heated rivalry, dispatching “The Truth” in the opening round. Aliakbari continued his momentum by submitting Dustin Joynson in July 2023 before earning a statement win over another former heavyweight king, Arjan Bhullar, during ONE Championship’s debut event in Qatar in March 2024.

However, just as he seemed primed for a title shot, Almeida stopped his rise with a swift submission, leading to his release from the promotion.

Aliakbari had long sought a rematch with Malykhin, who handed him one of his earliest losses in ONE at ONE: REVOLUTION in September 2021.

That fight was a defining moment in Malykhin’s rise to stardom, as he knocked out the Iranian in the first round. Aliakbari worked tirelessly to earn a second shot at the Russian juggernaut, but with his release, that opportunity has vanished.

Adding to the twist, it was not Aliakbari but “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane who received the title opportunity against Malykhin. Kane defeated the reigning champion and now holds the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title.

Aliakbari’s departure from ONE leaves his future in MMA uncertain, but given his credentials and experience, a return to action elsewhere could be on the horizon.