‘I See A Path To Victory’ – Suriyanlek Aims To Spoil Rustam Yunusov’s Perfect Record At The Inner Circle 34
Suriyanlek Por Yenying hit a very painful roadblock his last time out. Now, he is back with a serious point to prove.
The 30-year-old Thai firecracker returns to face undefeated Russian sensation Rustam “Tomahawk” Yunusov in the flyweight Muay Thai main event of The Inner Circle 34 on Friday, October 9. The action broadcasts live from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium, streaming exclusively via live.onefc.com.
His most recent appearance produced an outcome he has been carrying with him ever since. Suriyanlek faced Lebanese teenage prodigy Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash in what turned into a hard-fought three-round war, ultimately dropping a unanimous decision after a second-round knockdown proved costly.
The result snapped the massive momentum the Thai had been building toward a life-changing US$100,000 contract, and it has sharpened every single session in the gym since. Suriyanlek has been brutally honest with himself about what went wrong, and the self-analysis he delivers is precise and unsparing.
He told onefc.com:
“The fight against Ramadan was really entertaining, but I made a mistake and got dropped in the second round. I was too fixated on landing my left hook counter, which left me open and a bit sluggish.
“I was just slower than him, so I couldn’t get my punches off in time. His hands were both heavier and faster than mine.”
The opponent waiting for him on October 9 presents a very different kind of challenge, but one no less formidable. Yunusov is a 19-year-old Russian prodigy boasting a perfect 17-0 career record and an 8-0 ONE Championship slate accumulated since joining the promotion in 2024.
A protege of former three-division MMA World Champion Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin, Yunusov arrives at The Inner Circle 34 on the absolute cusp of securing his own six-figure contract, carrying the fresh momentum of a fighter who has not yet tasted defeat at any level.
Suriyanlek has studied his opponent carefully and assessed the threat with the experienced eye of a striker who has seen every style imaginable.
He said:
“He’s well-rounded — great punches, solid kicks. Rustam is younger and coming in with a lot of fresh momentum. His youth might give him an endurance advantage over me, but I’ve always been able to go the distance.
“My team at the gym has already prepared a game plan to counter his style.”
As one of the most experienced and decorated fighters in ONE Friday Fights, Suriyanlek boasts a staggering 86-32 striking record, 11 ONE victories, and more performance bonuses than any other athlete in the weekly series.
The social media narrative surrounding this matchup has not gone unnoticed by the Thai veteran. The suggestion that he is simply easy pickings for Yunusov — a mere stepping stone on the young Russian’s path to a contract — is precisely the kind of external noise that has fueled his best performances.
The 30-year-old added:
“Rustam will definitely need to watch out for my hands because, as everyone knows, power punching is my primary weapon. A lot of people on social media are saying I’m outmatched — that I’m just easy pickings for Rustam. But I want to say that since I took this fight, it means I see a path to victory.
“I’m going to use my power to stop him right in his tracks.”
Suriyanlek Targets Six-Figure Contract On Friday
Suriyanlek Por Yenying did not build a career on nearly 120 professional fights just to become a footnote in someone else’s story.
The life-changing US$100,000 contract that has eluded him remains the driving force behind everything he does inside the ring. The framing of this matchup as a vehicle for Rustam Yunusov’s advancement has awakened a fire in the Thai veteran that his doubters may soon regret.
A highlight-reel finish this Friday, in front of the Lumpinee Stadium crowd that has watched him bleed and battle for years, would be the loudest possible answer to everyone who has written him off.
The Tor Sangtiennoi affiliate said:
“That’s definitely the goal. If I beat Rustam, I’m ready for anyone. But my main target remains a ONE roster contract. I’m pushing hard every day to make it happen.
“I admit Rustam is a complete fighter, but I’m definitely not going to be a stepping stone for him to earn a contract easily.”
The message Suriyanlek has for those who see this fight as a foregone conclusion is simple, direct, and delivered with the absolute conviction of a fighter who has spent the better part of a decade proving people wrong.
He concluded:
“People view me as a stepping stone for him to secure a contract, but I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for him. Passing this fight won’t be a walk in the park. If I haven’t secured a contract yet, he shouldn’t get one either.
“I’m going to do everything I can to halt his momentum.”
