Panpayak Training With Russian Fighters To Prepare For Undefeated Phenom Egor Bikrev
After a two-year stint on the sidelines, “The Angel Warrior” Panpayak Jitmuangnon’s comeback tour is now in full swing.
On December 20 at ONE Friday Fights 92, the decorated Thai star will square off with unbeaten Russian knockout artist Egor Bikrev in a flyweight Muay Thai clash at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
A former seven-time Muay Thai World Champion renowned for his incredible technical prowess and dangerous counter-striking, Panpayak returned to the world’s largest martial arts organization earlier this year, earning a clear-cut decision win over Romanian brawler Silviu Vitez at ONE Friday Fights 83.
The 28-year-old hopes to keep that momentum going, but he’ll face a stiff test in Bikrev. The Russian boasts an unblemished professional record and will come into the contest following a spectacular first-round knockout of Gingsanglek Wor Kumchamnarn in his promotional debut.
Without a lot of information to work with, Panpayak told onefc.com that he’ll have to formulate his tactics on the fly:
“From what I see, [Bikrev’s] strength is his punching speed. Russian fighters are skilled at punching. As for his weakness, because his last match ended so quickly, I can’t see any.”
Panpayak might be struggling to find footage on the 22-year-old rising star, but he’s nonetheless doing everything in his power to prepare for this matchup.
To that end, “The Angel Warrior” has been training at Phuket Fight Club – home to a number of top Russian strikers who can mimic Bikrev’s boxing-heavy style.
Among his Russian training partners is #3-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Kiamran Nabati:
“Training at Phuket Fight Club is great. I get to train directly with Russian athletes. I get help from Kiamran in terms of my boxing development, and the training system is based on international standards with sports science added.”
When he goes toe-to-toe with Bikrev, the Thai legend will lean heavily on the veteran savvy he’s honed over the course of his nearly 300-fight career.
He doesn’t yet know if his advantage will be in the clinch or at long range, and whether he should press forward or wait to counter-strike.
Instead, Panpayak plans to see what Bikrev gives him and react accordingly – and if the knockout is available, he’ll take it:
“If I have the chance, I will knock him out, but it’s all about chance and luck. I think he will come at me and start throwing punches at me. I don’t have a clear game plan because I’m going to figure it out in the ring.”
Panpayak ‘Confident’ He Will Face Superlek Again
While Panpayak Jitmuangnon is currently focused on Egor Bikrev at ONE Friday Fights 92, he’s finding himself fielding questions about a potential clash against longtime rival and current two-sport, two-weight kingpin Superlek “The Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9.
The Thai icons have fought eight times across their iconic careers – including twice in ONE Championship – with Superlek winning a narrow split decision in their last matchup before Panpayak’s long layoff.
For his part, Panpayak is sure they will square off once again, but for now, he’s still kicking off the ring rust:
“I’m not at my best right now, but I’m confident that we’ll meet again in the future. I think I’ll be Superlek’s toughest opponent if I can get back into my best form.”
Superlek is the reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing and Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, as well as the #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender.
While some fans want Panpayak to move up in weight for a showdown, he said that he won’t compete at bantamweight anytime soon, as he plans to continue aiming for the flyweight Muay Thai belt:
“It’s a bad idea for me to go up to the bantamweight division right now. Because if I do, I’ll be at a huge weight disadvantage. So forget about a rematch with Superlek in the bantamweight division. I can’t do it right now. But maybe in the future.
“Right now, I’m going to focus on fighting and chasing success in the flyweight division.”
