Singaporean mixed martial artist Amir Khan sports a crisp crewcut these days. It is a trim that has the young lion looking razor-sharp in his home workout videos on social media.

Coincidentally, it is also a throwback to the buzzed cut hairstyle that Khan rocked in his ONE Championship debut six years ago.

Khan first competed on the global stage at ONE: RISE OF THE KINGDOM in September 2014.

“I fought in Cambodia. It was my first fight in ONE Championship, and I had never been to Cambodia before,” he said.

The young Muay Thai prodigy was hardly a known commodity, especially on a stage as big as ONE. So, it came as a shock to Khan when the promotion rolled out the red carpet – a custom for all its athletes.

“When I got to NagaWorld hotel, I was welcomed with such great hospitality,” he said. “At that point in time, I was like a nobody, so I was really impressed.”

“I wondered, ‘Why would they treat me so good?’ Even for a new fighter, I was made to feel like a superstar. I really appreciated that.”

The pleasant surprise quickly faded and gave way to nerves and anxiety once match day approached.

“On fight day, the rest of my family – my mother and cousins – came over to see me at the hotel. I was shivering. I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into!” Khan said.

“It was nerve-wracking for me because that was my first time fighting in a big organization and all eyes were on me.

“I felt the pressure and all I could think about was, ‘I can’t wait to finish the fight and I can’t wait to get out of here and celebrate.’”

However, inside the Koh Pich Theater, Khan felt at home the moment he stepped inside the Circle.

With the backing of head coach Heath Sims in his corner, the Evolve representative made short work of opponent Jian Kai Chee.

Khan first launched at Chee with a jab-cross, then followed up with a hard knee to his midsection. The eight-bout veteran had little to offer in return, and after a series of punches from Khan, Chee fell to the canvas defeated.

It was a moment to savor for the Singaporean, and the victory proved he belonged with the world’s most elite martial artists.

“I finished my opponent in like two minutes, and that was the best feeling ever,” Khan said.

“I was so happy, I felt like the king of the world. Words can’t describe it – money can’t buy this kind of happiness.

“It wasn’t about how much I made that night. This was my first time enjoying the big crowd and a big organization. To get the ONE Championship medal, it was a big accomplishment for me.”

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a4Azgk3tQI

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