Dejdamrong Says He Won't Retire Until He's World Champion Again
“Kru Rong” Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke believes he should jump into contention for a World Title shot if he can win this Friday, 17 May at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON.
The Thai icon will face Miao Li Tao at the Singapore Indoor Stadium as he pursues his third straight victory, and the history books are on the side of the former ONE Strawweight World Champion.
Since Dejdamrong began his mixed martial arts career as a representative of Evolve, he has never lost in his adopted hometown.
The 40-year-old is 6-0 in “The Lion City,” and he has no doubt the support he receives will help him to reach a magnificent seventh success.
“It is great to get to compete here in Singapore again – it is my second home,” he says.
“My students will be there cheering me on, and the atmosphere is going to be amazing.”
“Kru Rong’s” most recent success was one of the most satisfying of his career in the ONE Circle, as he was able to avenge a stunning upset defeat at the hands of Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado.
In February, he took on his Filipino rival for the second time and gained redemption with a TKO victory of his own in the second round.
“In all my years competing, both in Muay Thai and mixed martial arts, it was the first time ever being knocked out – I was careless, and got caught,” he explains.
“The most frustrating part was that I couldn’t even get back up and keep fighting. That was it, I was out.
“Ever since I lost to Miado, I wanted that rematch. It was so great to finally get the opportunity to do so, and I was really happy to get the win.”
Dejdamrong is one of three former ONE Strawweight World Champions on the bill at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON – along with Alex “Little Rock” Silva and Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito, who will meet in a rubber match.
Each one is determined to win their way back to a shot at the gold, but the Trang native believes he has the edge over his peers in the race to face the weight class’ top dog, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio.
“Both Naito and Silva are on two-fight losing streaks. If I can win three fights in a row, I think I deserve to get the next World Title shot. I want to be World Champion again,” he says.
Claiming a third consecutive win is not likely to be easy, however.
Miao showed how dangerous he can be in his ONE debut when he scored a first-round knockout against Cambodia’s Sim Bunsrun.
The 26-year-old demonstrated an aggressive wrestling attack, as well as explosive power in that match, which took his professional record to 10-3, but the Thai southpaw believes he will be prepared for any offense that is thrown his way.
“I’m training my very best, and I’m confident I’ll be able to get a win over Miao,” he says.
“I come from a Muay Thai background, and will want to keep this fight standing, but I’ll have to wait and see how the fight plays out.”
“Most of my opponents automatically try to take me to the ground because of my Muay Thai background, but I’m training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Alex Silva. We work a lot on takedown defense, but also offense on the ground, and submissions too.”
“My opponent’s got knockout potential and heavy heads, but I think my elbows will work well against his aggressive style.”
With more than 30 years of experience, multiple World Titles in Muay Thai, and the honor of being Thailand’s first mixed martial arts World Champion, Dejdamrong has achieved more than almost any other athlete in his field.
“Kru Rong” has nothing left to prove, and recognizes that many fans will wonder whether he is entering the twilight of his career as he approaches his 41st birthday, but he insists he has some unfinished business to take care of before he hangs up his gloves.
“I feel great, and I am always training. For now, I’m just taking it one fight at a time,” he adds.
“But there is one thing I know for sure – I don’t want to retire until I can bring that belt back to Thailand!”
