Alif Rakib Wins ONE Championship World Title, Brings Home RM204,565 Bonus

KUALA LUMPUR: National muay thai fighter Ahmad Nor Iman Aliff Rakib, better known as Alif Rakib, created his own piece of history when he emerged as the interim ONE Championship Strawweight Muay Thai world champion after defeating Thai representative Sam-A Gaiyanghadao today.

In the bout which took place at Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok, the 22-year-old athlete ended the challenge of the former two-division ONE Championship world champion via a knockout victory in the fifth round.

The victory saw Alif Rakib carve out the biggest achievement of his career and emerge as one of the country’s most successful fighters on the ONE Championship stage.

“Thank you to the Malaysians who came to support at Lumpinee Stadium. I promised to bring this belt back to Malaysia,” he said, also dedicating the victory to his father.

The victory also enabled Alif Rakib to bring home a victory bonus amounting to USD 50,000 (approximately RM204,565) in addition to the championship belt.

With this victory, Alif Rakib will face the strawweight Muay Thai world champion, Prajanchai PK Saenchai, in a title unification bout as soon as the champion returns from injury.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on all Malaysians to give their full support to Alif Rakib ahead of the bout.

BERNAMA