A Deep Look At The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai Division

The Muay Thai featherweight strikers are some of the most dangerous athletes in ONE Super Series.

Unlike the Muay Thai flyweight specialists, who often give and take the best of shots, the featherweights are known for their power. Combined, they’ve recorded more than 100 knockouts against some of the most respected competitors in the world.

With that said, let’s take a closer look at the ONE Super Series Muay Thai featherweight ranks.

The World Champion

Reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy has been unbeatable since winning the gold this past February.

He defeated Pongsiri PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym for the inaugural strap at ONE: WARRIOR’S CODE before the COVID-19 pandemic forced events to be postponed.

And when restrictions lifted, Petchmorakot was right back in the fray, successfully defending his belt on two occasions.

In July, he beat Thai icon “The Boxing Computer” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex at ONE: NO SURRENDER in one of the most thrilling bouts of his career.

Some thought Yodsanklai had done enough to edge out the defending World Champion, but Petchmorakot sent a message to those naysayers by snuffing out Magnus “Crazy Viking” Andersson with a third-round TKO at ONE: A NEW BREED III.

Petchmorakot’s top weapons have made him the reigning king of the division. He’s known for his gut-piercing knees, hinging southpaw straight lefts, and devastating elbows, which he used to stop Liam “Hitman” Harrison in December 2018.

It’s hard to imagine any featherweight getting past that arsenal, especially when Yodsanklai – a living legend in “the art of eight limbs” – couldn’t do it himself.

But one worthy newcomer may be able to drag Petchmorakot into deep waters.

The Next Potential Challenger

Jamal “Kherow” Yusupov burst onto the featherweight scene with a shocking KO of Yodsanklai at ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS in November 2019.

What made his debut victory over “The Boxing Computer” even more spectacular was that “Kherow” took the bout on short notice.

With that impressive win in his back pocket, Yusupov was supposed to challenge Petchmorakot for the inaugural ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title in February, but he suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the clash.

Now healed and healthy, the Russian is patiently waiting for a chance to get his shot at glory.

Considering what he did to Yodsanklai on short notice, can Yusupov topple Petchmorakot with a full training camp behind him?

The reigning king may find out in the near future.

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The #1-Ranked Contender

Martial arts fans could very well see Petchmorakot defend his ONE World Title against his compatriot, Superbon, next.

A win over fellow prodigy Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong at ONE: NO SURRENDER further elevated Superbon’s status, and he now sits as the #1-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender and #2-ranked featherweight kickboxing contender.

The Thai star owns devastating body kicks and is tricky on the inside, as he can effortlessly put his opponents off-balance and sweep them.

Superbon is a five-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion who owns a lifetime record of 111-34. His kicks and his experience might just be the formula that can dethrone Petchmorakot.

The Thai Duo

The aforementioned Yodsanklai, despite dropping a close decision to Petchmorakot in their ONE World Title duel, remains one of the most threatening men in the ONE Super Series Muay Thai featherweight division.

He’s beaten Chris “The African Warrior” Ngimbi, Luis “Soot Raaeng Geert” Regis, and Andy “Souwer Power” Souwer, with the latter two victories coming by way of first-round KO and second-round TKO, respectively.

Although he’s tasted a string of defeats over the past year, Yodsanklai can turn the screw at any moment on any man at featherweight.

His right uppercuts and left kicks have helped him amass 78 stoppage victories over the course of his storied career, and another win or two in the Circle could move him closer to another shot at the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.

Smokin’ Jo Nattawut, who is the division’s #3-ranked contender, is also a threat to the crown and has looked equally impressive in competition.

He holds a KO victory over Yohann Fairtex Drai, a TKO win over Sasha Moisa, and decision victories over George Mann and Samy “AK47” Sana.

The power that Nattawut possesses in his hands separates him from the other athletes in the rankings, and although he hasn’t been able to challenge for a ONE World Title yet, he’s always just one knockout away from that potential taste of superstardom.

A Fiery Frenchman

After an up-and-down start on the global stage, Sana defeated two legendary strikers.

He beat Yodsanklai at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON in May 2019, and then he edged out Dzhabar Askerov at ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS, which moved him into the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final.

Sana faced Petrosyan in the final, and while the Frenchman made “The Doctor” work over three rounds, he ultimately dropped a decision to the Italian megastar.

With 49 knockouts to his name, however, Sana, like Yodsanklai, can make any man on this list pay for even the most subtle of mistakes.

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