Ilyass Habibali one fight from second gold at Muaythai World Championships

Ilyass Habibali moved to within one fight of claiming his second gold at the IFMA Muaythai World Championships in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The Emirati outclassed Mustafa Al Takreet of Iraq in the 81kg light-heavyweight class at the National Exhibition Centre on day seven of the event.

Habibali will meet Moldavian Artiom Livadari, who scored a unanimous decision over Manuel Boaventura Rifa of Switzerland, in the final on Saturday.

Habibali had the semi-final match in the bag after winning the first two rounds and then went for safety in the third and final round to emerge the winner on points.

“I met Mustafa in the Arab Championship final in 2019 and won despite an injured hand,” Habibali told The National.

“He’s a talented and strong fighter, and definitely has improved from our first meeting two years ago. I took the fight to him scoring at every opportunity, from punches, clinches and low kicks,

“When I had won the first two rounds and virtually had the match secured, I went for safety. There was no need for me to take any undue risk with the final coming up on Saturday.”

Habibali struck gold in 2018 when the UAE made their first appearance at the IFMA Muaythai World Championships in Mexico.

“I’m really happy to be in the final again,” he said after failing to reach the medal rounds in 2019 and 2021, both in Bangkok.

UAE supporters cheer on Ilyass Habibali in his sem-final. Victor Besa / The National

“This time it will be very special, too, with the championship in the UAE. To reach the final is already an achievement and now to go out there and win it. I’m very hopeful.”

Habibali’s final opponent Livadari was impressive on the night, displaying a wide range of scoring blows en route to the final.

“We will watch all his