5 Reasons To Watch ONE Friday Fights 2
Following a rip-roaring debut at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium last week, it’s become quite evident that the second installment of ONE Friday Fights has a lot to live up to. But fortunately, there’s plenty on the bill to suggest the action will be just as intense.
Some of Thailand’s best talent will be competing at the show this Friday, January 27, and they’ll be joined by a plethora of elite martial artists from around the globe.
With nine Muay Thai battles and a pair of MMA bouts on the card, here are five reasons to watch ONE Friday Fights 2 live from Bangkok, Thailand, in Asia primetime.
#1 A Massive Main Event Rematch
An epic bantamweight Muay Thai rematch between Sangmanee PK.Saenchai and Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai will headline ONE’s second outing at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, but neither man is a stranger to the iconic venue.
Sangmanee has won World Title gold there, as well as the stadium’s 2012 Fighter of the Year award. Meanwhile, Kulabdam has captured a pair of World Title belts at the arena, along with back-to-back Fight of the Year accolades in 2018 and 2019.
Lumpjnee is clearly a special place for both of them, and that will make the duo even hungrier for victory when they come to blows at the top of the bill.
“Left Meteorite” earned a first-round knockout victory over his Thai compatriot in their initial encounter back in 2020, but Sangmanee’s dynamic skill set means he can never be written off.
Kulabdam will come out with his usual venom and try to send his rival’s chin spinning as soon as possible. However, “The Million Dollar Baby” will have studied and taken the lessons from his prior defeat so he can level the scores.
A win could propel the victor toward the top of the bantamweight rankings, and with both men presenting a fresh challenge to the division’s seemingly unstoppable king, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, an impressive performance could potentially fast-track them right to a World Title shot.
#2 Rising Stars Duke It Out In Co-Main Event
In the co-main event, rising stars Chalamkhao PK.Saenchai and Pettong Kiatsongrit will collide in a strawweight Muay Thai clash. Both athletes are well established on the Bangkok stadium circuit, but each fighter still has massive potential to unleash.
At 21 and 18 respectively, the duo have already proven themselves able to compete among the best. However, there’s every reason to believe that they could make an instant impact on their division with a debut victory.
Omnoi Stadium Champion Chalamkhao will bring his well-rounded style to the ring, while IBF Champion Pettong hopes his fierce southpaw punching ability will be the key factor in this crucial tilt.
The venue or opponent may not faze either man, but knowing a win could put the victor in ONE Championship’s strawweight Muay Thai rankings should spur the two to deliver the best performances of their respective careers.
#3 PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym Out In Force
As well as Sangmanee and Chalamkhao, there will be two more PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym athletes on the card, ready to showcase the quality of their training at the elite camp.
Avatar PK.Saenchai meets Mohammed Siasarani in a featherweight Muay Thai showdown, while Pongsiri PK.Saenchai takes on Ferzan Cicek in a bantamweight Muay Thai fight.
Created in 2014 under the guidance of Muay Thai legend Saenchai, the camp is a relatively young one, but it attracts the best fighters from around the country. Working together for training and sparring, the athletes have experienced major success and the collective, as a whole, has achieved every major accolade in the sport – including multiple ONE World Championships.
Having so many PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym stars on one card will be a feast for fans of “the art of eight limbs.”
#4 The Debut Of Yodlekpet Or. Pitisak
Four-time Muay Thai World Champion Yodlekpet Or. Pitisak takes the top spot on the international Muay Thai and MMA portion of the card, facing off against Silviu Vitez in a bantamweight Muay Thai contest.
Like Seksan Or. Kwanmuang who occupied the same position in his epic battle with Tyson Harrison last weekend, Yodlekpet is an aggressive southpaw known for bringing the heat with nonstop aggression.
Nicknamed “The Punch Destroyer,” the 28-year-old veteran has heavy punches and low kicks that he uses to dismantle his rivals.
It’s a big ask for Vitez, but the decorated kickboxer knows he can raise his stock massively with success over Yodlekpet on the global stage.
#5 Aussie Grappling Sensation Ready For Step Up
Harry Grech kicked off his MMA career with three stoppage victories and now, the undefeated Australian star is looking to rise up the ONE Championship ranks.
The 33-year-old submission specialist has won numerous grappling accolades, including the ADCC Nationals in his homeland. Nicknamed “Kimura,” he used his signature move to dispatch three opponents en route to the submission grappling tournament victory.
However, he’s also shown some of his striking tools in mixed martial arts competition, proving that he’s committed to becoming a truly well-rounded practitioner inside the Circle.
Grech will take on Iran’s Arash Mardani in a middleweight showdown, and with his nation’s reputation for producing fierce wrestlers, the Iranian could pose some serious questions to the Aussie grappler.
