Georges St-Pierre, the legendary UFC welterweight champion, has hailed Raymond ‘Real Deal’ Daniels as "the greatest striker I’ve ever seen," often bringing him into his training camps during his illustrious career. On the other side of the ring stands Rafael Aghayev, a five-time world champion and eleven-time European champion in Olympic-style karate, renowned as the world's most decorated striker.
The anticipation has reached its peak as these two titans are finally slated to face off in the infamous Pit of Karate Combat on Saturday, December 17th, headlining Karate Combat 37 live from The Backlot at Universal Studios Florida.
Daniels, boasting victories over top contenders like Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Michael ‘Venom’ Page, challenges Aghayev's claim to greatness, emphasizing the need to prove oneself beyond one's own discipline. "You can be the biggest dog in your own pound, but when you finally step outside, you realize it’s a big world out there," Daniels asserts, eager to test his mettle against Aghayev.
Aghayev, known for his humility and let-the-actions-speak approach, acknowledges his opponent's reputation but remains steadfast in his commitment to excellence. "I am still working as hard as ever and I am still fully focused on being #1," he states, highlighting the dedication and hard work behind his success.
The clash isn't just about determining the greatest of all time; it's also a battle for the Karate Combat Interim World Welterweight Championship. With Aghayev undefeated in Karate Combat's welterweight division and Daniels bringing his extensive experience from GLORY, Bellator, and STRIKEFORCE, the stakes couldn't be higher.
The fight promises to be a spectacle of skill, athleticism, and determination, with both fighters having garnered millions of views on highlight reels across various platforms. As the anticipation builds, fans eagerly await what promises to be a historic showdown reminiscent of legendary matchups like Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.
"This is one of those all-time wishlist fights in our sport," says a Karate Combat spokesperson. "Nobody was ever able to make this fight happen - until now."
