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As 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut prepares for his highly anticipated trilogy fight with Tawanchai later this year, ONE Championship is looking back at the Thai superstar's incredible promotional debut.
Today, Nattawut is considered by many to be one of the best strikers on the planet, having gone toe-to-toe with a slew of P4P greats, including Giorgio Petrosyan, Chingiz Allazov and reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai on two separate occasions.
But just six years ago, Nattawut was a newcomer looking to make a name for himself on martial arts' biggest global stage—and he did exactly that—scoring a sensational first-round knockout of French standout Yohann Drai.
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"'Smokin' Jo Nattawut uncorked one of the most ferocious knockouts you’ll ever see at ONE: PURSUIT OF POWER in Kuala Lumpur, taking out Frenchman Yohann “Fairtex” Drai with a devastating flurry of hooks and straight punches in Round 1. Nattawut landed early and often before pouncing on a wounded Drai up against the cage, sealing his first victory in ONE Super Series Muay Thai."
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Jo Nattawut gets another crack at ONE gold following controversial loss to Tawanchai
Jo Nattawut will return to the Circle on Friday, November 8 for a third and final meeting with Tawanchai as the two look to settle their rivalry in the United States. Emanating from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, ONE 169 will see Tawanchai put the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title up for grabs once against Nattawut.
Tawanchai successfully defended his 26 pounds of gold against Nattawut at ONE 167 in June, earning a unanimous decision to go two-up on his fellow Thai warrior. However, Tawanchai's win came with a hearty dose of controversy as many within the combat sports community—including ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong—believe Nattawut did enough to dethrone his 25-year-old rival.
Now, the two will run it back once again at one of the biggest events of the year to determine who truly deserves to sit atop the featherweight Muay Thai throne.
Follow this link for tickets for ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8 at State Farm Arena.
