ONE’s Dmitry Menshikov Harbors Two-Sport Championship Aspirations

Dmitry Menshikov wants to be a ONE Championship title holder in both muay thai and kickboxing.

Former muay thai lightweight title challengers Menshikov and Sinsamut Klinmee recently clashed at One on Prime Video 22. Menshikov scored a third-round TKO win over Klinmee in front of the latter’s home crowd at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. While Menshikov was well aware of his opponent’s star power going into the bout, the Russian wasn’t bothered about fighting in enemy territory.

“You know what, I was doing my job,” he said at the post-fight press conference. “I didn’t think of this much. Of course, I knew that he’s a really famous Thai fighter. I knew that people were going to support him, but I didn't care. My job is simple — to fight. And I was doing my job.”

Menshikov suffered his lone career loss via second-round knockout in failed title bid against Regian Eersel in June 2023. He has since earned his way back into the title picture with three consecutive knockout wins and is open to a title rematch against Eersel. Menshikov further revealed future plans of switching to kickboxing in search of two-sport glory.

“Yeah, yeah. About the fight with him [Eersel], as I mentioned before, multiple times, I want to be the champion, yeah,” Menshikov said. “And I’m going to do everything to be the champion. And if it’s a rematch with him, sure. I want to be the champion and also, I want to take the belt, not just in muay thai, but kickboxing too. It's my goal. I have plans for two belts.”