Kiamrian Abbasov Stripped Of Title, Other Fighters Fail Pre-Fight Tests

ONE Championship has been hyping up lightweight champion Christian Lee’s pursuit of the welterweight strap currently held by Kiamrian Abbasov, but they are in a similar situation now that is highly reminiscent of John Lineker vs. Fabricio Andrade on the last ONE on Prime Video card.

During the live-streamed weigh-ins and hydration test, Abbasov failed his first attempt at passing the hydration test and though he later passed it, he stepped on the scales and clocked in at 186.5 pounds–1.5 pounds over the welterweight limit.

Lee had no problems making weight as he is the one moving up a weight class to gun for double champ status, with Abbasov later negotiating a catchweight bout with the Singaporean-American.

As a result, Abbasov was stripped of his title and only Lee is eligible to win the welterweight title this coming Saturday, November 19 (Friday, November 18 in the United States) at ONE on Prime Video 4.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) fans can clearly remember the disappointment they felt when it was announced that Lineker had been stripped of the title ahead of what was supposed to be his title defense against his fellow Brazilian.

As consequence for missing weight, Lineker was also stripped of his title and only Andrade was qualified to win the title at ONE on Prime Video 3.

That main event matchup ended in a no contest after Lineker took a full-force knee to the groin from Andrade and was deemed unable to continue, which has left the ONE bantamweight title vacant to this day.

In that regard, ONE on Prime Video 4 was also set to have what many saw as a potential bantamweight title eliminator between Filipino striker Stephen Loman and former divisional king Bibiano Fernandes.

Fernandes and the Team Lakay star both fell victim to the hydration test and failed both of their attempts, with a three-hour window being given to pass it.

With the window almost closing, Fernandes and Loman were both able to pass the hydration test and weighed in at 151.5 pounds and 153.25 pounds respectively–the latter being the proposed catchweight for their fight.

These four names were not the only fighters to have failed the hydration test as the following either failed the hydration test or missed weight:

• Former ONE flyweight Muay Thai champion Jonathan Haggerty (failed hydration twice, passed third attempt, weighed in at 148 pounds)
• Vladimir Kuzmin (Haggerty’s opponent, failed first hydration but passed second, offered catchweight bout at 148 pounds)
• Former ONE bantamweight champion Kevin Belingon (failed hydration once, passed second)
• Current ONE flyweight king Rodtang Jitmuangnon (passed first hydration test but missed weight, passes on second attempt)
• Juan Cervantes (failed first hydration test, passes second, cleared for Cosmo Alexandre fight)
• Liam Nolan (failed first hydration test, passed second, cleared for lightweight Muay Thai bout against Eddie Abasolo)

All in all, ONE on Prime Video 4 is still set to take place with the announced fights barring any other changes between now and tomorrow.