'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Thai superstar Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong hopes to one day take a ONE world title home to his family.
After coming up short against longtime foe Marat Grigorian at ONE 165 in Tokyo, the eight-time Muay Thai and kickboxing titleholder will look to get back to his winning ways when he welcomes Japanese star Masaaki Noiri to ONE Championship on Friday, June 7.
Trending
The two titans from two different lands will meet at ONE 167 in a bout that will likely carry with it some serious world title implications in the featherweight kickboxing division.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Speaking with ONE ahead of his return to the iconic Impact Arena in Bangkok, Sitthichai spoke about the inspiration that he draws from his supporters at home and his dream of repaying them with 26 pounds of gold.
“To reach my dream of becoming a ONE World Champion, my family members take a big role as my supporters," he said. "Seeing my family and my two sons makes me feel like I want to do it for them. I want them to have a good life without the financial problems or struggles I had.”
Masaaki Noiri looks to use Sitthichai as a stepping stone to a ONE world title opportunity
Currently, Sitthichai is clinging onto his No. 3 ranking in the featherweight kickboxing division. If he hopes to hold onto it, he'll have to deliver a decisive showing against one of Japan's most accomplished fighters.
Amassing a record that includes 49 career wins with 25 knockouts, Noiri made a name for himself under the K-1 banner, capturing both the World GP super lightweight and welterweight titles. He also collected gold competing in both GLORY and Krush.
Noiri even proved himself to be a dual-sport threat, winning the WBC Muaythai Japan super lightweight title.
Will the 31-year-old newcomer take his first step toward adding a ONE world championship to his collection, or will Sitthichai spoil Noiri's bit debut on martial arts' biggest global stage?
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 167 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 7.
