Jul 23, 2020

5 Reasons Why You Can’t Miss ONE: NO SURRENDER

Muay Thai legend Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex in ONE Championship

After a five-month break, ONE Championship will make its highly-anticipated return on Friday, 31 July.

That night, the promotion will bring ONE: NO SURRENDER to Bangkok, Thailand – the first of 10 flagship events that are scheduled for the coming months.

The upcoming blockbuster could very well be the best striking card in 2020. ONE: NO SURRENDER will not only feature a pair of ONE Super Series Muay Thai World Title fights, but it will also include a featherweight kickboxing trilogy match between highly-ranked rivals.

With event night just days away, here are five reasons why you must watch ONE: NO SURRENDER.

#1 A World Title Rubber Match For Flyweight Supremacy

Two of the best flyweights in “the art of eight limbs” will meet in the main event to complete their series and determine the division’s rightful king.

Reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon will defend his belt against Petchdam “The Baby Shark” Petchyindee Academy in a long-awaited trilogy match.

The duo previously competed against each other in Bangkok’s stadium circuit, with Petchdam beating “The Iron Man” via decision in their first contest back in May 2017 and Rodtang evening the score in February 2018.

Both men then joined The Home Of Martial Arts, where they went in different directions but achieved great success.

Petchdam claimed the inaugural ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship in May 2019, and although he dropped the gold months later, the dangerous southpaw returned to Muay Thai and rebounded with a victory over Momotaro to earn the #5 contender spot in ONE’s Athlete Rankings.

Meanwhile, Rodtang won five straight bouts to claim the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship in August 2019 and then made two successful defenses.

Now, the two stars will end their rivalry at ONE: NO SURRENDER. Whoever comes out on top will have bragging rights – and the divisional gold.

#2 A Legend Challenges A Young Lion For Featherweight Gold

“The Boxing Computer” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex is one of the most accomplished warriors in Muay Thai, but there is one accolade that’s eluded him: a ONE World Title.

At ONE: NO SURRENDER, the icon will get his chance to grab the richest prize in the sport, but he’ll need to defeat ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy.

Yodsanklai has proven to be a lethal threat in ONE Super Series, where he’s used the 4-ounce mixed martial arts gloves to batter Chris Ngimbi in May 2018, knock out Luis Regis that December, and finish his old rival Andy Souwer in May 2019.

“The Boxing Computer” has become legendary due to his punches and left kick, but his rival is equally revered for his long-range knees and elbow strikes.

Petchmorakot has used those weapons to great success, knocking out Liam “Hitman” Harrison in December 2018, finishing Charlie “Boy” Peters in November 2019, and stifling Pongsiri PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym to claim the inaugural ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.

At ONE: NO SURRENDER, he will make his first title defense on the global stage against the most famous athlete in the industry. With a victory, Petchmorakot is hoping to become a Muay Thai legend himself.

#3 A Super-Bout Between 2 Of The World’s Best Kickboxers

The global fan base will be in for a treat when two world-class kickboxers make their promotional debuts, complete their own trilogy, and aim to reach the top of their division rankings.

Fireworks are guaranteed when “The Killer Kid” Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong stands toe-to-toe with the man known as Superbon.

When these two first met in January 2016, Sitthichai knocked out Superbon – who was inexperienced at kickboxing back then – with a right hook in the second round.

However, after gaining more experience, Superbon bested “The Killer Kid” in their rematch just eight months later.

It’s now been four years since their second encounter, and both men have sharpened their skills considerably in that time. They’ve also rarely lost, posting a combined 30-3 record since the rematch.

With Superbon currently listed as ONE Championship’s #2 featherweight kickboxing contender and #1 featherweight Muay Thai contender, the winner of this match-up could earn a crack at kickboxing star Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan or whoever wins the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.

There is plenty on the line, and Superbon and Sitthichai are both hoping to make a strong first impression in The Home Of Martial Arts, win their head-to-head series, and line themself up for a World Title opportunity.

#4 Stamp Continues Her Charge Toward 3-Sport Glory

Stamp Fairtex’s quest for three-sport domination will continue at ONE: NO SURRENDER.

The Rayong province native currently owns the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title and previously held the ONE Atomeight Kickboxing World Title.

Now, she’s looking to keep her perfect mixed martial arts record intact and take another step toward Angela Lee’s ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship.

But there are tough obstacles in Stamp’s path – the next being fellow unbeaten Thai Sunisa “Thunderstorm” Srisen, who is planning to make a name for herself at the superstar’s expense.

The 19-year-old Srisen has racked up three professional wins in Thailand’s Full Metal Dojo. That run included a second-round TKO victory over ONE veteran Audreylaura “Ice Comet” Boniface, which further proved her ability to hang with world-class athletes on the global stage.

The Chonburi-based fighter is determined to test Stamp’s wrestling, which is arguably the biggest question mark in her overall game. Will Srisen be able to exploit that potential hole, or will the Fairtex representative continue her success and take a step closer to three-sport glory?

#5 The Return Of ONE’s Flagship Event Schedule

ONE Championship live event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium

The global COVID-19 pandemic may have forced The Home Of Martial Arts to postpone some of the events on its 2020 calendar, but the world’s largest martial arts organization is making up for lost time beginning next Friday.

ONE: NO SURRENDER is the first in a series of 10 flagship events that will take place between 31 July and 30 October, and the promotion is loading it up with World Title clashes, super-fights, and a plethora of stars.

It is a strong way to re-start the flagship event calendar, and there is no doubt that this night will be just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.