Pongsiri Mitsatit Excited For Striking Battle With Miao Li Tao

Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit is beaming with confidence ahead of what he expects to be an electric striking contest at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES.

Next Friday, 2 August, Mitsatit will be looking to continue his climb to the top of the strawweight division when he takes on Miao Li Tao in Manila, Philippines.

Both men possess the ability to end a contest with just a single blow and have 100-percent finishing rates in The Home Of Martial Arts, so fans in the Mall Of Asia Arena can expect to be on the edge of their seats for as long as this one lasts.

Fresh off his first-round knockout of Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan at ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT, Mitsatit is eager to return to action and turn in another memorable performance.

“After that win, I felt a lot more confident about my abilities. It got me excited about fighting again,” he says.

Before his defeat of Catalan, Mitsatit had lost two bouts in a row, which had snapped a perfect start to his mixed martial arts career that had lasted nine contests and four years.

However, the Thai hero never lost his motivation, and he put in extra time at Tiger Muay Thai to make sure he would get back to winning ways.

His efforts paid off in Bangkok in May as he survived Catalan’s submission attack and then picked his shots to finish his Filipino opponent with a stunning knee to the body.

Now, he looks to pick up where he left off with another stellar finish of a highly accomplished and dangerous opponent from China.

After a lengthy layoff, Miao returned to action with a stunning knockout victory of his own a week after Mitsatit’s win when he knocked Thai mixed martial arts pioneer Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke out cold in his adopted hometown of Singapore.

Out of respect for “Kru Rong,” his compatriot hopes he can get a knockout victory of his own when he meets the 26-year-old from Beijing.

After spending hour upon hour on the mats with Tiger head mixed martial arts coach George Hickman in Phuket, he believes he has a game plan to pick Miao apart.

“I want to bring this win home for Thailand, and I believe that I can knock him out. I’m training hard. George is really pushing me on the pads,” says Mitsatit.

“From what I’ve seen, [Miao] doesn’t really like knees to the body.

“His punches are his biggest weapon. I’m working on boxing defense and takedown defense, but I want to keep the fight standing. I think my clinch will work well against his style.”

As a veteran of almost 100 Muay Thai bouts – as well as his 12 under mixed martial arts rules against some of the best athletes in his division – there is not much Mitsatit has not encountered before when it comes to striking.

However, “The Smiling Assassin” recognizes his opponent’s knockout capability, and though he welcomes a stand-up battle, he knows he will not be able to let his guard down for a second.

“My opponent is a boxer, but I’ve got my own punches too. I’m not scared to trade, but I won’t be careless, and I need to listen to my coaches,” he says.

“Our clash of styles will really make for an exciting match-up. I think it is going to be a great fight, and something the fans will really enjoy.”

“The Smiling Assassin” also sees another advantage that he has going for him, and that is his conditioning.

With so many bouts in both the ring and the Circle under his belt, Mitsatit has the upper hand when it comes to experience, and he believes that will tell once the opening exchanges are over.

“I think he will only be strong for the first round, and then he will fade after that,” says the Chiang Mai native.

“For the first round, I plan to be tentative unless the opportunity for a knockout presents itself, and then I’ll go for it!”

If he can get his hand raised, then Mitsatit will stay on track in his quest to challenge for the ONE Strawweight World Title.

If he can score another highlight-reel stoppage, a rematch withJoshua “The Passion” Pacio for the belt could be just around the corner.

“I’m definitely a lot more confident going into this fight, and I feel that I am getting closer to a World Title shot,” he states. “If I can win this fight, I think just a few more victories will put me into World Title contention.”