7 Of The Best Thai Vs. Thai Battles In ONE Championship History
ONE Championship is home to some of the best Thai strikers on the planet, which has led to some of the greatest striking battles in Muay Thai and kickboxing history.
On August 26, ONE will once again pit two top Thai’s against one another when #1-ranked Saemapetch Fairtex meets #2-ranked Rittewada Petchyindee in a bantamweight Muay Thai rematch at ONE 160: Ok vs. Lee II at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
If their second encounter is anything like their first, ONE’s global fan base is in for a treat. However, before these two striking superstars pick up where they left off, we look at seven of the best Thai-versus-Thai matchups in the organization’s history.
Capitan Stiffens Up The Competition
Former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Capitan Petchyindee faced Petchtanong Petchfergus in a short, yet explosive, kickboxing matchup at ONE: A NEW BREED III in September 2020, earning himself a new moniker – “One Punch Man.”
When the fight began, Capitan approached his opponent and parried a jab before landing a crisp straight right. When he connected, the Lumpinee Stadium World Champion knocked Petchtanong out cold in just six seconds.
The result stunned fans around the world, as Petchtanong had more than 350 wins to his name and was a six-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion. Capitan, on the other hand, didn’t have nearly half as many victories or World Titles.
Kulabdam Levitates A Legend
Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai defeated Sangmanee Sathian at ONE: NO SURRENDER III in August 2020 with a memorable first-round knockout to advance to the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament Final.
“Left Meteorite” began the fight testing the waters, registering not only what Sangmanee was doing, but how he was doing it. However, as the first round progressed, Kulabdam picked up the pace, and at the 2:45 mark he landed a left cross that pulled Sangmanee’s feet out from underneath him.
This was the two-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion’s second win in a row, and his 63rd overall. Kulabdam’s outstanding victory has since become a staple of highlight reels.
Saemapetch Folds Up Shop In First Round
In a bantamweight Muay Thai matchup between Saemapetch and Kulabdam at ONE: FULL BLAST in May 2021, it was ‘Left Meteorite’ who was on the receiving end of a knockout blow.
Saemapetch circled Kulabdam and took his time getting started, but after the first two minutes of round one, fans were rewarded for their patience. Saemapetch waited for his compatriot to throw a kick, and when he did, the Fairtex man launched a left cross into Kulabdam’s liver, stopping him instantly.
Saemapetch’s victory cemented his status as the #1-ranked bantamweight in the Muay Thai division – until he met the next man on our list.
Rittewada Reveals His Strengths Against A ONE Veteran
ONE newcomer Rittewada snapped Saemapetch’s two-fight winning streak in the second round of their bantamweight Muay Thai matchup this past November at ONE: NEXTGEN II.
Rittewada struggled in the first round as Saemapetch used his ring smarts to land significant blows. All that changed in an instant when Rittewada landed a left elbow on the Fairtex athlete, causing significant damage and forcing a doctor’s stoppage.
The 26-year-old improved his overall record to 91-25-5 and launched himself into the rankings with the spectacular performance, but now fans are waiting to see if Rittewada can repeat the feat in their upcoming rematch.
Nong-O Derails A ‘Steel Locomotive’
ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao is one of the slickest strikers on the ONE roster, which #3-ranked Rodlek PK.Saenchai found out the hard way at ONE: COLLISION COURSE in December 2020.
Despite “The Steel Locomotive’s” best efforts to bully Nong-O around the canvas with a few hard-hitting blows, he was no match for the power and presence of the four-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion. Nong-O illustrated this in the third round, when he landed a right cross that spun Rodlek to the canvas and earned him the knockout victory.
Nong-O is a dangerous man with over 260 wins, and his performance against Rodlek demonstrated that when top-level fighters enter the Circle with him, they pay the price.
However, Nong-O may soon face his toughest challenge to date when he takes on #5-ranked bantamweight contender Liam “Hitman” Harrison at ONE on Prime Video 1: Moraes vs. Johnson II on August 26.
Rodlek Rumbles With A Knockout Artist
While the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament Final between Rodlek and Kulabdam at ONE: A NEW BREED in August 2020 didn’t end by knockout, it was an entertaining battle that left fans thirsting for more.
Rodlek was a last-minute replacement for the finale, but since he lost to Saemapetch in the opening bracket, fans were skeptical that the PK.Saenchai athlete would beat Kulabdam.
The two men exchanged ferocious blows over three rounds, causing significant damage to one another. However, Rodlek delivered two incredible knockdowns that tipped the scales in his favor and earned him a crack at Nong-O.
Prajanchai Outstrikes An Icon
Prajanchai PK.Saenchai met the challenge of his life when he faced Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the latter’s ONE Muay Thai Strawweight World Title at ONE: BATTLEGROUND in July 2021.
Entering the match, Sam-A was the favorite, as the living legend held both the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Titles and Prajanchai was only making his promotional debut. However, the PK.Saenchai athlete handled Sam-A’s tricky tactics and landed high-scoring punch combos to earn the unanimous decision.
When the confetti settled, Prajanchai left the Circle with more than just the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship – he left having defeated one of Thailand’s best Muay Thai fighters.
