Kazakhstani mixed style fighter Arman Ospanov (11-4) is still without a league contract. In June of this year, "Sunkar" made an unsuccessful debut in the American PFL promotion, being knocked out in the second round. The bbabo.net correspondent suggested where an experienced fighter could prove himself in the future.
For the second year in a row, the 32-year-old featherweight finishes with a single fight. But if in 2020 Ospanov won his fight by a bright knockout, then in 2021, on the contrary, he lost with a hard finish. For the first time since 2017, Arman has a negative balance of wins and losses in a year.
Many reacted to the signing of the PFL league with strong joy for Arman. Fans were waiting for their flamboyant favorite to show his best skills in the American organization, where many celebrity fighters perform, including former UFC representatives. One of these athletes was Chris Wade (20-7), who knocked out Ospanov.
This 34-year-old American fighter, by the way, after the victory over Ospanov managed to probbabo.net two more fights. In late August, he defeated compatriot Bubba Jenkins (16-5) by unanimous decision, and lost five rounds to Russian Movlid Khaibulaev (19-0-1-1) in October.
Thus, Armand has lost four of the last six fights. But his career began with a gorgeous 9-0, where in eight cases the Kazakhstani managed to finish his opponents. Everything "cool" changed after the transition to the famous Russian promotion ACA, in which Ospanov won only three fights out of six.
This month "Sunkar" turned 32 years old, and he also managed to probbabo.net a grappling fight at the Mergen FC league tournament against UFC fighter Damir Ismagulov (23-1). Ismagulov won with a score of 7: 5.
It is now difficult for Arman to count on continuing his career in the United States. He is 32 years old, in the States he is not so famous and popular and in the PFL he made his debut with a tough defeat. Moreover, Ospanov spends almost all the time at home, and if he pursues the goal of staying in the United States, then it is advisable to train, prepare and wait for the contract on the spot.
The path in the developing leagues of the CIS countries will be more suitable. Ospanov could try himself in the Kazakhstani league Naiza FC, or play in one of the Russian promotions. It makes no sense for Arman to return to ASA. He has already performed there and it will be psychologically easier to start a new path in another organization than to feel the pressure of the existing failures under the auspices of the ACA.
AMC Fight Nights is also a good option, but there Ospanov can lose in the level of opposition and in terms of the interest of the audience as a whole. Say what you like, but lately AMC Fight Nights rarely pleases viewers with interesting cards. Another promotion is Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC.
Everything would be fine, but if Arman wants to go there, then only for the sake of the championship. However, the next contender for the Eagle FC featherweight belt will be another Kazakhstani, Zhasulan Akimzhan (7-2). And if he manages to become a champion, then it is unlikely that Ospanov will want to go there to move his countryman from the top.
Alternative options are to gain a foothold in Asian promotions. There is a league with a name in which many famous fighters fight and where the UFC prospect comes from - Brave CF. The UAE Warriors league is also actively developing. We must not forget about the opportunity to subscribe to the ONE Championship, in which Kairat Akhmetov (25-2) has been successfully performing for a long time.
It may be that Ospanov will no longer set big goals for himself (getting into the UFC, successful performance in the top US promotions), but he can still count on decent performance in the Asian or Russian leagues.
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Photo: PFL (1,3), ASA (2)
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