Marat Gafurov submits Martin Nguyen to claim interim featherweight title at ONE: 'Odyssey of Champions'

Marat Gafurov remains undefeated after submitting Martin Nguyen in the opening round at ONE: "Odyssey of Champions" on Sunday (Sept. 27, 2015). Their interim 145-pound title fight headlined the card at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, but lasted just 31 seconds with the Russian claiming a first-round rear naked choke win.

Nguyen (4-1) shot for an early takedown but Gafurov (12-0) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt and made him pay for this error. The Russian took the back and sank in the hooks before finishing his previously undefeated opponent with a rear naked choke.

Reigning champion Narantungalag Jadambaa was prevented from entering the country due to a visa issue but is likely to face Gafurov at the earliest available opportunity. The Mongolian should provide a much sterner test of his credentials as an undefeated champion and the unification match will hopefully happen before the end of the year.

In the co-main event, Roger Huerta (22-8-1-1) and Koji Ando (12-4-2) went to war. The American looked back to his best days in the early exchanges, switching stances and employing some fancy footwork and creative combinations. In the second round, however, the tide turned when Ando rocked him with a sledgehammer of a left hand.

Huerta dug deep and stood his ground while eating all sorts of strikes from the Japanese lightweight. He did well to see out the round but, in terms of the scorecards, the damage had been done and Ando cruised through the final round to take a clear-cut decision win.

ONE: "Odyssey of Champions" full results:

Marat Gafurov defeats Martin Nguyen by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 0:31 of Rd 1

Vincent Latoel defeats Arnaud Lepont by KO (Punches) at 0:15 of Rd 2

Koji Ando defeats Roger Huerta by Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Rd 3

Aleksei Butorin defeats Leandro Ataides by KO at 3:18 of Rd 2

Herbert Burns defeats Timofey Nastyukhin by Submission (RNC) at 3:26 of Rd 1

Jake Butler defeats Cristiano Kaminishi by Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Rd 3

Muin Gafurov defeats Casey Suire by KO (Spinning Back Kick) at 0:55 of Rd 1

Angela Lee defeats Mona Samir by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 3:49 of Rd 1

Yusup Saadulaev defeats Sotir Kichukov by Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) 1:10 of Rd 2

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