Liam Harrison Predicts The High-Stakes Muay Thai Matches At ONE Friday Fights 22
Along with being one of the most famous Muay Thai stars on the planet for many years, Liam Harrison is also a huge fan of the art and remains passionate about the sport.
From the grassroots circuit in his native England to the heights of ONE Championship on the global stage, “Hitman” still gets excited about it all – and he thinks ONE Friday Fights 22 is guaranteed to deliver this week.
The 11-bout card in Asia primetime will feature several of Muay Thai’s biggest names, and the British striker is sure that fans are in for a treat when the action gets underway.
Above all, four battles have intrigued Harrison, and like the rest of the combat sports world, he can’t wait to see how they unfold at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Prajanchai Vs. Sam-A II
The final matchup on the card will see a pair of former ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champions rematch for the division’s interim belt.
Prajanchai PK Saenchai and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao first squared off for the gold in July 2021. That evening, Prajanchai dethroned the 39-year-old legend via majority decision, although he would later lose the strap to Joseph Lasiri.
With Lasiri currently out of action, the interim title is at stake, and Harrison is leaning toward 28-year-old Prajanchai – especially given the outcome of the original encounter.
He said:
“This is a big rematch between these two, but I think Prajanchai won pretty comfortably in their first fight. He knocked Sam-A down, so he definitely has an advantage. I think it depends on how Prajanchai comes back after the loss to Joseph Lasiri.
“I saw Prajanchai fight Kompetch Sitsarawatsuer recently, and he looked very good. However, Sam-A is going to be out for revenge. But he isn’t getting any younger. He looked great at ONE Friday Fights 9 against Ryan Sheehan, but I am going for Prajanchai here.
“He’s younger, fresher, and I think he’s going to have a point to prove because he’ll want to disregard that stoppage loss to Lasiri. I think he’ll win on points. It would be amazing if Sam-A had his ‘Rocky’ story, but I just don’t see it, unfortunately.”
Sitthichai Vs. Eddie Abasolo
Eight-time Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong is set for a return to “the art of eight limbs” against American fan favorite Eddie Abasolo.
The Thai’s only recent appearance under this rule set came against now-ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai, as Sitthichai took the nod in a close split decision.
After competing in four kickboxing bouts since then, he’ll return to Muay Thai for this featherweight matchup with Abasolo. The man known as “Silky Smooth” will be giving away 150 bouts in experience to Sitthichai, though he brings a dangerous and unorthodox style to the ring.
Still, Harrison doesn’t think Abasolo’s unique skill set will be enough against a striking icon like “Killer Kid”:
“Sitthichai hasn’t fought in Muay Thai regularly over the last few years. However, when he has crossed over he’s beaten the king in Tawanchai PK Saenchai, so he clearly has it in his locker to do it.
“But to me, it depends whether or not Abasolo struggles making that weight. He is really elusive and a tricky fight for anyone, but I don’t see anyone beating Sitthichai at that weight.
“He’s the only one I think that can rule that division outside of Tawanchai. He’s too experienced and has seen everything, so I think Sitthichai will win.”
Superlek Vs. Nabil Anane
Harrison is greatly looking forward to the flyweight Muay Thai encounter between Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Nabil Anane.
Superlek is the reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion and the #1-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender, but he’ll face a stern test in 19-year-old Anane.
Described as a prodigy, the 6-foot-2 teen is already a historic two-division WMC Muay Thai World Champion and one of the fastest-rising names in the sport. However, “Hitman” has long admired Superlek and thinks his vast experience will ultimately overcome his opponent’s physical gifts:
“How Nabil Anane makes 135 pounds [at his size], I will never know. I think he is going to make it awful for Superlek in the first round until Superlek finds his range and is able to use his knees and elbows. That’s when Superlek will take over and win.
“Anyone Anane fights is going to have a tough night at the office. Usually, people as tall and slim like Anane are quite fragile, but that’s not the case with him.
“But Superlek will have fought multiple guys like Anane who like to get in the clinch with their strikes, so while it will be intriguing for us to watch, I don’t think this will be anything new to him. Anane’s very, very tough and awkward, but I don’t see anyone beating Superlek at that weight, and that includes [reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion] Rodtang.”
Seksan Vs. Nathan Bendon
Finally, Harrison commented on a matchup featuring his compatriot Nathan Bendon against Thai hero Seksan Or Kwanmuang.
Seksan has won three sensational bouts at ONE Friday Fights since entering the organization this year, and “Hitman” believes Bendon’s promotional debut is the perfect complement to make this an absolute barnburner.
Having trained with his fellow Brit, Harrison knows him well, and he’s predicting perhaps the most exciting contest at Friday’s event:
“I think Nathan can cause Seksan a lot of problems. He hits very hard, and he’s very tough. He really wants to prove himself, and I think that fight has Fight of the Night written all over it.
“Nathan is underrated, and I’d like to see him do well in ONE. This is one of them fights where both of them could be in for a big bonus because it will 100 percent go off when Seksan starts trying to go to war with Bendon.
“He won’t back down. Nathan will bang back, and I think he has the potential to pull off a major upset. I’m really looking forward to seeing another UK fighter feature on ONE, and I’m hoping it’s a night where another UK star can emerge. It’s a great fight!”
