Just a month ago, Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov was on top of the world.

He was the ONE Flyweight World Champion, and one win away from matching the longest active winning streak in the cage. In a matter of 25 minutes, all of that was taken away from him.

The 29-year-old was set to make history on 5 August, but on that fateful night, he lost a tough title match to Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes via unanimous decision. While his record stands at a still impressive 23-1, the former champion is eager to right the ship.

Fortunately, he will not have to wait long. On Saturday, 16 September, Akhmetov’s quest to regain the title begins at ONE: TOTAL VICTORY. The event, which broadcasts from the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia, will feature a clash between “The Kazakh” and surging contender Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio (9-5).

“It is very important for me to recover from that loss and get back on a winning streak,” the former titleholder explains. “Now, it is important for me to stay active. I want to compete as often as possible.”

Akhmetov’s tenure in ONE Championship has been an emotional one. He arrived in the organization as a three-time Kazakhstan Wrestling Champion with an undefeated professional record, and was awarded an immediate title shot. The young grappler made good on the opportunity, besting then-champion Moraes to snare the flyweight strap on his first night in the promotion.

With the title in tow, he prepared for a dominant reign at Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Jackson Wink MMA. While training, however, he aggravated an existing back injury that nearly forced him to retire.

“The Kazakh” overcame the injury and vowed a return to action. But like life, the ONE Championship flyweight division moved on. Moraes would once again wear the division’s gold, this time as the interim champion. That led to another date with destiny.

The long-awaited title unification match arrived at ONE: KINGS & CONQUERORS this past August. Unlike their closely-contested first bout, the interim champ showed a much-improved takedown defense, and even brought “The Kazakh” to the canvas on a few occasions. Also, “Mikinho” landed the more effective strikes in the stand-up affair.

As a result, Moraes earned a unanimous decision win and the unified title, ultimately leaving Akhmetov searching for answers. The former titleholder chalked up his first professional defeat to the layoff and cage rust.

“I felt very rusty from the beginning, and after the first round, my hands started to feel heavy and tight. I could not throw punches like I used to – the speed was not there. In the later rounds, I just battled with my heart. But it was not enough,” he acknowledges.

“After the final round, I knew I lost the match. Adriano (Moraes) did everything right, and I could not follow my game plan. I take my hat off to him. I do not want to look back and regret things. My preparation was great, but Adriano was the better man that night. Right now, the score is 1-1.”

While a rubber match is in the scope of Akhmetov, Eustaquio lays in wait on Saturday, 16 September, in the ONE: TOTAL VICTORY headlining bout.

Like his opponent, the Team Lakay veteran also suffered a defeat to Moraes. “Gravity” then returned to the flyweight division after a stint in the bantamweight ranks. The move proved fruitful, as the Filipino topped Thailand’s Anatpong Bunrad courtesy of a split decision at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES in May. That win avenged a previous loss to the Thai martial artist.

Although “The Kazakh” should enjoy a grappling advantage, do not look for the former champion to lean heavily on his wrestling pedigree to emerge victorious.

“Geje (Eustaquio) is a good striker with decent takedown defense, and he has a good team behind him. I do not think he has a lot of weaknesses,” Akhmetov says. “My advantage should be my wrestling and ground game, but I am not going to rely only on that. I am willing to test myself against him on the feet, and show what my hands can do.

“I envision every possible scenario, from a quick win, to a tough decision where I overcome adversity,” he continues. “Whatever he brings to me, I will be ready for it.”