Lucas Gabriel and Magomed Akaev finally meet at ONE Fight Night 40

Two lightweights get their long-awaited showdown. Lucas Gabriel and Magomed Akaev were already scheduled to fight twice, but injuries continued to derail the match.

Gabriel takes on Akaev in a lightweight MMA bout A Fighting Night 40 on Friday, February 13 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The fight was originally scheduled for ONE Fight Night 38 on December 5, 2025. Akaev withdrew with an injury. ONE quickly rebooked it for ONE Fight Night 39 on January 23rd. Then Gabriel withdrew due to injury. The promotion removed the fight from that card entirely.

Now the waiting ends. After two false starts and months of anticipation, the lightweight duo finally takes care of business in Bangkok this month.

Gabriel comes in with a 10-1 record and momentum from his ONE Friday Fights run. The 25-year-old BJJ black belt recorded three victories that showcased his relentless pressure and wrestling skills. His most exciting performance came when he submitted Gadzhimurad Amirzhanov, proving that his finishing ability makes him one of the division’s most dangerous competitors.

The Brazilian defeated Zhang Lipeng in May 2025, although the fight was later overturned to a no contest. That evening still turned out to be unforgettable. Gabriel proposed to his longtime girlfriend immediately after the fight and became engaged.

Magomed Akaev aims for first promotion victory against Lucas Gabriel

Magomed Akaev makes his second promotional appearance. The 29-year-old Dagestan sanda specialist dropped a narrow split decision to Ibragim Dauev in his ONE Championship debut last June. He pushed the veteran Russian fighter for three hard-fought rounds but came up short.

The Black Dragon representative has a career record of 10-1. His striking style causes problems for grapplers. Akaev must neutralize Gabriel’s threats while establishing his own offense. The talent-rich lightweight MMA division doesn’t give second chances easily.

Gabriel represents the perfect antagonist for Akaev’s redemption story. Beat the rising prospect and announce yourself as a real contender. Lose and questions arise as to whether you belong at this level. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.