4 Weapons To Watch For In The ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS Main Event

Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex (200-71-4) will meet Luis “Soot Raaeng Geert” Regis (25-6-1) in a fascinating ONE Super Series Muay Thai encounter at ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS.

The main event on Friday, 7 December in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia pits a striking icon against a hungry challenger, and could determine the top frontrunner for a shot at the inaugural featherweight World Title.

Yodsanklai is a two-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion with a reputation in the sport that is almost unrivaled. Despite his vast experience and a brief retirement, “The Hero” is hungrier than ever in pursuit of ONE gold.

Regis is a WFO Muay Thai World Champion that has dominated the Australian scene since moving from his homeland of Brazil aged 19. The Sydney native recognizes he is the underdog, but he is not going to stand in awe of his foe – he wants to leave Malaysia victorious.

The contrasting styles and skill sets of the two athletes should deliver blistering action when the bell rings inside the Axiata Arena, and offer many paths to victory. These could be the difference-making tools in their armories.

The World’s Most Feared Round Kick

Yodsanklai’s round kick is widely regarded as the best in the world across any striking art. The Thai southpaw throws his left body kick with tremendous velocity, while also maintaining his balance and poise.

The picture-perfect strike is technically flawless and appears to be laser-guided in its accuracy. This combination of power and precision makes it hard to combat.

Admittedly, “The Hero” does not dispatch many of his opponents with this shot in isolation, but it is a precursor to almost everything else in his arsenal.

He makes his opponents fear the body kick, wears them down with it, and then unleashes his punches when their defenses have been compromised.

Regis’ Range Finders

Regis is relaxed and composed inside the ring. Compared to many of his adversaries, his actual experience is relatively low — many Thais have hundreds of bouts to their credit — but you would not know from watching him in action.

He builds this composure from a strong foundation of range-keeping. At 179 centimeters tall, he often has a reasonable height and reach advantage – he stands 8 centimeters above Yodsanklai. He uses this well with a sharp jab and his front leg teep.

Both strikes are fast and strong, as well as solid defensively and offensively. The straight strikes could be the key to keeping Yodsanklai at bay as he attacks with hooks and kicks, as well as piercing his guard.

“Soot Raaeng Geert’s” ability to dictate the range and then land his powerful straight punches will all depend on the success of his jab and teep.

“The Hero’s” Hard Right Hook

At longer range, Yodsanklai relies on the kick. In closer range, it is his lead right hook that does the damage. This strike has finishing power, as well as the capacity to pave the way for more combinations.

“The Hero” is able to use this punch to move away from the firepower of orthodox stance opponents, while creating angles to strike with his feared left kick.

He also uses a more direct method, closing down the distance behind his hook to score with a thudding left knee to the body, a left elbow, or tighter punch combination – any of which have the potential to put all but the toughest opponents away.

Sweeps From “Soot Raaeng Geert”

The Brazilian has many effective sweeps and dumps to use, both inside and outside the clinch.

Regis’ long legs are effective at reaching his opponents for low sweeps. With a nod to his days in capoeira, he likes to hook the foot and pull to knock his opponents off balance, or completely sweep them off their feet. An advancing opponent is particularly prone to this.

In true Muay Thai fashion, he’s also effective at manipulating his rivals’ balance within the clinch. As they aim for a knee, he uses his long frame and leverage to topple them as they are finely balanced on one leg.

If he can stop the constant forward pressure of Yodsanklai and disrupt his rhythm, he will be well placed to take the biggest scalp of his career.