Road to ONE Thailand Season 1 Winner Headlines This Weeks Card

February 1, 2024

10 months

Winning the Road to ONE Thailand Season 1 has provided Yodphupa Wimanair with an opportunity to fight at the top level of Muay Thai. But Wimanair hasn’t found a way to take advantage of that platform as of late. Wimanair will have another opportunity to get back on track against Komawut FA Group during ONE Friday Night Fights 50 on Friday at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Winamair will enter this bout on a two-fight losing streak but hopes he has made enough improvements during his six-month layoff to get back on top. Group has won three of his four fights with the promotion. He is also coming off a similar-type layoff, so both men should be fresh.

Wimanair has a lot to prove in this fight. Dropping back-to-back fights to start his career has left him in a difficult position as far as climbing up the rankings. Group doesn’t seem to be on the same level as him.

ONE Championship is unique among combat sports promotions in how they mix different disciplines. This weekend’s card is primarily made up of Muay Thai fights. There are a few MMA bouts that are set to take place as well.

Card Set for Heavy Muay Thai Action

ONE Championship sets itself apart from the UFC and PFL in the number of different types of combat events it holds during its fight cards. The organization sanctions fights in MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling. This weekend, the card will be filled with Muay Thai fights.

Muay Thai, sometimes known as Thai Boxing, is popular in Thailand and other nations in its general vicinity. Many MMA fighters build their base with a Muay Thai background. Muay Thai primarily features striking, sweeps, and heavy clinch fighting.

ONE has come under some fire recently for not having a lot of fights for fighters who want to stay more active. However, people looking at MMA news sites will see that ONE has planned a number of events in the near future and would like to keep building on its foundation as one of the best fight promotions based outside of the United States.

Kongklai Eager to Get Back on Horse

Kongklai AnnyMuayThai has plenty of experience fighting in Muay Thai despite only being 25 years old. Kongklai has competed in 129 Muay Thai fights and won 93 of those. However, despite his laundry list of accomplishments, Kongklai enters this fight having to shake off a horrible result.

Kongklai got caught with a vicious punch from Soner Sen during his last bout in November. Sen was able to force a stoppage just 2 minutes 35 seconds into the fight. Kongklai will see a step down in competition during his 140-pound catchweight bout with Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree.

Lukjaomaesaiwaree is 1-4 in ONE Championship bouts and has been knocked out twice. This will be an important spot for Kongklai to recollect his mojo and try to demonstrate the skills that earned him his reputation.

Kongklai has racked up several high honors during his career. Two different organizations chose him as the Fighter of the Year in 2020. He won the Isuzu Cup Tournament at the Siam Omnoi Stadium at 140 pounds and also won the Siam Omnoi Stadium event at 140 pounds.

American Faces Tough Test

American Rebecca Lerner, 33, will face a tough test when she travels overseas to face an opponent half her age. Chabakaew Sor.Kanchanchai is only 17 years old but will be eager to show off what she can do during an Atomweight fight. This will be intriguing for many fight fans who tune into the event.

Lerner’s record lists one amateur fight, while little information is available about Chabakaew or her level of competition before joining ONE. This fight promises to produce a surprising result either way.

Lerner dropped her only amateur fight on Tapology, one of the best MMA news sites. Both women are likely hoping to raise their profile with a win. Having an opportunity to fight on a fight card for a big promotion is a chance to gain a reputation quickly. Both fighters will benefit greatly from being able to turn in a strong performance.

Petchdam Petchkiatpetch Looks to Build Reputation

Many fighters never reach the top of their respective sports and become champions. Many, however, can utilize their unique skill sets to carve out a niche in the sport. Petchdam Petchkiatpetch has made a career by laying out opponents with his right hook.

Petchkiatpetch has won his last two fights in ONE with his patented right hook. He hopes for similar success in a 134-pound catchweight Muay Thai pout He will be matched up with Petchsaenchai ToyotaRayong, who has one fight under his belt in ONE.

Petchsaenchai also won an impressive knockout during his first fight in the organization. He knocked out Ngaopayak NonThong in the second round with a right knee to the body.

A Wide Variety of Fights Will be Held

Fight fans will be busy during the ONE Championship card. There is a lot of action that they need to keep their eyes on. One of the MMA fights on the card will feature a surging Leandro Gomes taking on Avazbek Kholmirzaev.

Gomes has won three consecutive fights, including a knockout win during his ONE debut. MMA breaking news shows this will be Kholmirzaev’s debut in ONE. Previously, Kholmirzaev had fought primarily in smaller regional promotions by Uzbekistan. He has run up a 6-1 record to start his career and is on a three-fight winning streak.

Here’s a list of the fights not mentioned above: