Germany’s Ali Nasir has named reigning SENSHI European Champion Eduard Aleksanyan as his dream opponent for the final of the SENSHI 33 Grand Prix, as eight elite fighters prepare to battle for the 95 kg title in Varna on September 5.

Ali Nasir is heading into SENSHI 33 with a clear ambition. The German fighter wants to make it all the way through the eight-man Grand Prix – and if he could choose who stands across from him in the final, his answer is Eduard “Mr. Action” Aleksanyan.

Asked about his dream opponent ahead of the tournament, Nasir did not hesitate:

“Eduard Aleksanyan in the final of the Grand Prix.”

It would be a major showdown. Aleksanyan enters SENSHI 33 as the reigning SENSHI European Champion at 90 kg and now moves up to 95 kg in pursuit of another major title.

First, however, both men have demanding qualification fights to overcome.

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Nasir will begin his Grand Prix campaign against Ramon Quirini of Italy, while Aleksanyan faces Yuri Farcas of Romania. With three victories in one night required to become champion, there is little room for error.

For Nasir, that format suits the mentality he brings into the ring.

“My mindset is the most dangerous thing about me”

Nasir describes his fighting style in one word: “Relentless.”

Asked what makes him most dangerous, he does not point to his power, technique or favorite jumping knee. His answer is even simpler:

“My mindset.”

That mentality is also reflected in the uncompromising message he has for his opponents:

“Be prepared to fight a guy that does not care about living or dying inside the fight.”

Nasir prefers a knockout over leaving the result in the judges’ hands and considers discipline more important than talent. His greatest strength, he says, is his mind.

That approach has been built over years in combat sports.

Nasir began training in martial arts at the age of 12. His early inspiration came from the iconic martial arts movie Ong-Bak, as well as striking stars Buakaw Banchamek and Badr Hari. But there was also a more personal reason behind his decision to start training – he wanted to be able to defend himself at school and on the streets.

What started as self-protection eventually became the pursuit of a professional fighting career.

A promise kept after 14 years

One victory stands above the rest for Nasir – his fight for the ISKA World Title.

The belt represented the fulfillment of a promise he had carried with him for 14 years.

“I promised my family 14 years ago that I would win a world title, and I kept the promise,” Nasir says.

Now he is chasing a different kind of legacy.

Before retiring, the German fighter wants to establish himself as one of the best strikers of his generation and one of the most dangerous fighters of his era.

And when his career is eventually over, Nasir knows exactly how he wants the fans to remember him:

“I want them to say: this guy is a legend.”

Fighting gave him everything

Behind Nasir’s aggressive fighting style is a much calmer personality.

He describes himself as a very calm person outside the ring and says one of the things he is most proud of is having pursued the things he wanted in life.

Asked what fighting has taken away from him, his answer turns the question around completely:

“Nothing. I gained everything from fighting.”

One of the people who had the greatest influence on his career was his former trainer Samir Al Mansouri, whom Nasir names as the fighter he admires most.

Some of his hardest training sessions were pad sessions with Al Mansouri, who passed away last year in a motorcycle accident. His influence remains an important part of Nasir’s journey and fighting mentality.

SENSHI 33: three wins stand between Nasir and the title

Nasir now brings that mentality to one of the biggest tests of his career.

He considers SENSHI one of the strongest combat sports promotions today and says earning a victory inside its ring would mean “a lot.”

The challenge begins against Ramon Quirini.

The other qualification fights will see Eduard Aleksanyan face Yuri Farcas, Iuri Fernandes meet Alexandru Burduja, and Sharif Ben Mabrouk take on Emin Özer.

Only four fighters will advance to the semifinals. Two will reach the final. And only one will leave Varna as the new SENSHI Grand Prix champion at 95 kg.

Nasir is ready to face whoever stands in his way.

Stay tuned for more information and follow SENSHI on its official channels on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

SENSHI 33 Grand Prix is being organized with the support of the KWU International Professional League and the special support of Armeec Insurance Company, MAX Sport, Bulgaria Air, M Car Group – BMW Dealer, and St. St. Constantine and Helena Holding.

Media partners of SENSHI 33 Grand Prix are Boec.bg and Boec.com, Bulgaria ON AIR, DIEMA, MAX Sport, Beyond Kickboxing, Gol.bg, Sportal.bg, Dir.bg, Topsport.bg, KWUSENSHI.com, KWUnion.com, KyokushinKarate.News, Fighto.News, and Fight Sports Insider 24/7.