Akram Hamidi Takes Care of Business in Short Order at ONE Friday Night Fights 66
There was a lot of anticipation for the main event between Akrim Hamidi and Kongchai Chanaidonmueang. Online boxing news showed that many people anticipated this fight to be close. But Hamidi had different ideas for how everything should go.
After the bell, Hamidi immediately rushed forward and started pumping out heavy shots. Kongchai isn’t a fighter who would be surprised by such a strategy. Kongchai is a former Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion.
But Hamidi’s forward pressure proved to be a difficult puzzle for Kongchai to solve. A vicious left hook put Kongchai down early in the first round. While Kongchai was able to return to the fight following a standing eight count, Hamidi didn’t give him any time to recover.
Hamidi, who is a three-time IKSA kickboxing champion, unleashed a heavy barrage of punches while Kongchai was up against the ropes. While Kongchai had his guard up, he was clearly out on his feet. Hamidi landed more than ten unanswered strikes, which forced the referee to stop the fight just 101 seconds into the bout.
It was a massive win for Hamidi, who was the first fighter to knock out Kongchai in ONE. This was Knochai’s eighth fight in ONE. ONE Friday Night Fights 66 was held at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and featured plenty of hard-hitting action.
While many people were enamored with the star power of the ONE 167 event later that day, the card with prospects was a big hit.
Rambong Continues Run of Strong Performances
Rambong Sor Therapat had Muanglao Kiattongyot spinning around in the ring shortly after their 128-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout started. Muanglao likely hoped to have a few seconds to settle into the fight.
But Rambong had no desire to wait. He charged across the ring and landed a few stiff punches that sent Muanglao twisting back to his own corner. While Muanglao was able to work his way back into the contest, that first exchange showcased what type of fight this would be.
Muanglao is a competent striker. He hit Rambong with several stiff straights and hooks. But Rambong had a major advantage in punching power. When Muanglao lands a shot, Rambong pushes through, as he seems unbothered by what he is facing.
Rambong’s power ended up earning him the unanimous decision. He has collected five straight wins.
Stay Down This Time, Please
Kaotaem Fairtex hoped the stiff left hand he landed clean would be enough to encourage Wanpadej Looksuan to quit fighting. With how Wanpadej landed at the 1:14 mark of the second round, he was clearly done fighting. Wanpadej landed square on his back, and his head bounced off the canvas.
It was the fourth time in the fight Wanpadej was knocked down. There were some brief flashes early in the first round that Wanpadej may be able to keep up the pace. But that vanished quickly.
Kaotaem Fairtex has too much power in his hands. At the end of the first round, Wanpadej tumbled to the canvas after being hit with a few devastating hooks. Wanpadej was overmatched in the second round, and it didn’t take long for Kaotaem to secure his 34th career win.
Attachai Earns Strong Start in ONE
Attachai Kelasport didn’t get the finish he dreamed of during his debut. But picking up a victory over Poye Adsanpatong in a 121-pound catchweight bout was a nice consolation prize. The first round was hotly contested.
But Attachai figured out how to attack his opponent in the second round. Attachai fired several leg kicks to limit his opponent’s mobility. Those would pay dividends later in the fight.
Poye attempted to fight off the lower attacks with body kicks. However, he couldn’t put forward enough volume to convince the judges that he was the winner.
Petchuanchom Wins Narrow Decision
Petchuanchom Choy Hapayak may have looked more nervous when waiting for the scorecards to be read than he did during his 134-pound catchweight Muay Thai fight with Singudon Detpetsithong. Petchuanchom could feel good about getting the result. He didn’t fight poorly.
But both men put forth a good effort and were arguably deserving of winning the fight. Petchuanchom focused his effort on landing strong kicks. Both men were active until the end of the fight.
Rolex Pulls Away for Decision Win
Putting in good work in the ring can all be undone by one or two moments. Sitrak Por Paidang saw his opportunity for a win in a 113-pound catchweight Muay Thai fight fade away in the third round. Sitrak’s opponent, Rolex Wor Panyawai, scored a knockdown that allowed him to impress all three judges and score a victory.
Rolex was able to send him crashing to the floor by connecting on a wild left hook that rattled Sitrak’s confidence. Rolex utilized the confidence from this strike to push forward and turn up the pressure.
Yod-IQ Picks Up Knockout Win
Rematches can be difficult for both people involved. There was pressure for Yod-IQ Pimolsri to score an emphatic win against Mavlud Tifiyev in a 149-pound Muay Thai catchweight fight after their first encounter went to a decision.
Yod-IQ didn’t have an easy path to victory. He was forced to absorb some stiff hooks early in the fight.
Once Yod-IQ figured things out, Tifiyev was on borrowed time. Yod-IQ decided to focus on attacking his opponent’s body. The constant pressure on his midsection quickly drained him of energy.
Tifiyev wasn’t able to hold up to the pressure long. He was sent to the canvas less than two minutes into the first round. There would be no getting up for Tifiyev.
Yod-IQ hopes a knockout win will help raise his profile. He is 5-1 in the promotion and should be on the track for tougher fights. Yod-IQ’s experience goes well beyond ONE. He has 120 career victories.
Here’s a look at the result of the fights from the event, which aren’t listed above:
- Muay Thai (157-pound catchweight), Khunsuek Superbon Training Camp win by decision over Thway Thit Win Hlaing
- Muay Thai (flyweight), Seksan Fairtex win by decision over Amil Shahmarzade
- Muay Thai (bantamweight), Miao Aoqi win by TKO over Shingo Shibata, Round 2 1:21
- MMA (catchweight), Evgenii Antonov win by TKO over Islam Kukaev, Round 1 4:50
- MMA (strawweight), Torepchi Dongak win by TKO over Hiroto Masuda, Round 1 4:39
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