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On February 24, live and free on Prime Video, Tawanchai PK.Saenchai will step into the ring at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. There, he'll defend his ONE featherweight Muay Thai world championship against streaking Turkish striker Jamal Yusupov.
Ahead of the highly anticipated Muay Thai clash in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video, we take a look at three of Tawanchai’s best performances under the ONE Championship banner since making his promotional debut in 2021.
#3. Tawanchai PK.Saenchai vs. Niclas Larsen
At ONE 158 in June 2022, Tawanchai was tasked with welcoming former WBC Muay Thai world champion Niclas Larsen to the circle in a high-stakes matchup with title implications.
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Though he was making his promotional debut, Larsen entered the bout with a fair amount of hype, with an impressive 61 wins to his credit by the age of 33. However, Tawanchai’s speed and strength proved to be too much for the Danish striker.
Larsen immediately came out aggressive in the contest, attacking the lead leg of Tawanchai. Throughout the first round, ‘Dreamchaser’ certainly held his own against the significantly more experienced Thai star. Near the halfway point of round two, Tawanchai uncorked a right hook followed by an overhand right that landed clean, sending Larsen crashing to the canvas. Larsen attempted to answer the referee’s count, but after failing to get back on his feet, the fight was called.
The victory secured a ONE world title opportunity for Tawanchai. He would cash in on that opportunity three months later.
#2. Tawanchai PK.Saenchai vs. Saemapetch Fairtex
Before scoring a massive win against the debuting Niclas Larsen, Tawanchai scored perhaps the biggest win of his 161-fight career. At ONE: Heavy Hitters in January 2022, Tawanchai scored a highlight-reel knockout against close friend Saemapetch Fairtex.
Coming off a loss to Sitthichai Sitsonpeenong, Tawanchai got back into the win column in spectacular fashion in the opening round of his contest with Saemapetch.
Both fighters came out with a very methodical approach. Tawanchai found early success with the push kick to keep distance. As the opening round began to wind down, Tawanchai picked up the pressure, throwing a combination that backed Saemapetch to the cage wall. It was there that Tawanchai went high with a head kick followed by a 1-2 combination that dropped Saemapetch.
Able to answer the referee’s count, the fight continued. Tawanchai once again put the pressure on, leading with a high kick followed by a flurry of strikes with a straight left getting through and dropping Saemapetch for a second time in a matter of seconds.
Saemapetch once again got to his feet but was unable to maintain his balance, forcing the referee to stop the bout with only five seconds left in the opening round.
#1. Tawanchai PK.Saenchai vs. Petchmorakot Petchyindee
Tawanchai’s best performance inside the circle was his last performance. Three months removed from his win over Niclas Larson, Tawanchai challenged Petchmorakot Petchyindee for the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world championship.
While Tawanchai wasn’t able to deliver another spectacular knockout, his dominance over the four-time ONE world champion, who boasted 165 career victories at the time, is more than worthy of earning the top spot on our list.
The two Thai warriors were evenly matched throughout the first two rounds, but Tawanchai’s speed began to take over in the third round. With both fighters recognizing the close nature of the contest, they began showing urgency in the championship rounds. Petchmorakot picked up the pace, but the counterstriking of Tawanchai proved to be more successful as the fighters entered the fifth frame.
Knowing he needed a finish to secure a successful title defense, Petchmorakot again applied pressure but was unable to land anything significant as Tawanchai’s counterstriking led to the biggest blows of the final five minutes. When it was all said and done, the judges scored the bout in favor of Tawanchai unanimously, crowning him the new ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion.
