ONE Championship recently announced the full fight between close friends Tawanchai PK.Saenchai and Saemapetch Fairtex.
Tawanchai had high expectations of becoming a world champion when he signed with ONE. After winning his promotional debut against Sean Clancy, the 23-year-old suffered a disappointing loss to the ever-dangerous Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in August 2021. He bounced back from the split decision loss and returned a few months later in January 2022.
Tawanchai’s next fight would be against his friend Saemapetch at ONE: Heavy Hitters. The PK.Saenchai fighter returned to the track with an impressive finish to the first round. A year later, ONE shared the special moment on YouTube with the caption:
“Before Muay Thai featherweight king Tawanchai PK.Saenchai makes his first world title defense against Turkish-Russian powerhouse Jamal Yusupov on February 24th, relive his brutal first-round knockout of fellow Thai star Saemapetcha Fairtex 2022!”
The win against Saemapetch started the momentum that continued into 2022 for Tawanchai. The Muay Thai superstar went on to defeat Niclas Larsen and then dethrone Petchmorakot Petchyindee for the ONE Muay Thai Featherweight World Champion. He was also voted ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighter of the Year 2022 and Star of the Year.
Watch Tawanchai beat his friend Saemapetch Fairtex below:
Tawanchai PK. Saenchai is hungry to win against Jamal Yusupov
Entering 2023, Tawanchai PK.Saenchai has no plans to slow down. The reigning Muay Thai featherweight king looks to defend his throne for the first time against Turkish title contender Jamal Yusupov on February 24. During an interview with ONE Championship, Tawanchai had this to say about his key to victory:
“The key in this fight is my inner fire. I’m hungry to win. I will never give up on anything easily.”
Tawanchai vs. Yusupov goes down in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video. In the main event, Fabricio Andrade and John Lineker will settle their October non-contest with the vacant world bantamweight title. The event can be seen for free by North American Amazon Prime Video subscribers.
Check out the fight card for ONE Fight Night 7 below: