A catchweight boxing matchup will join the lineup as part of ONE Championship’s upcoming March 1 event, ONE 166: Qatar.
Mehdi “Diamond Heart” Zatout returns to action to take on Zuhayr “The Arabian Warrior” Al-Qahtani in four-ounce gloves, with the bout being contested at 147 pounds. Zatout will come out of retirement for the matchup and try to take down one of Saudi Arabia’s stars in the process.
In October 2022, Zatout defeated Asa Ten Pow at ONE Fight Night 3. After the battle, the victor left his gloves in the ring. The 40-year-old will pick the leather up once again and don the gloves for this unique challenge.
And a challenge it will be.
Al-Qahtani brandishes a perfect 9-0 professional boxing record and holds the WBC Middle Eastern Championship. As one of the region’s best talents in the sport, “The Arabian Warrior” should enjoy a home-field advantage from the crowd.
However, this will mark the first time the 34-year-old will box in four-ounce gloves, giving an edge in experience to the Algerian. The new wrinkle adds more intrigue to the contest, where either man could be a clean shot away from a knockout.
The exciting boxing bout will join a lineup that embraces the diversity of martial arts with a major main event between ONE Middleweight World Champion Reinier De Ridder and ONE Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly Malykhin.
ONE 166 airs live on Friday, March 1, from Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST.