Jo Nattawut says disappointing defeat to Superbon will make him a better fighter: “I always learn lessons”

'Smokin' Jo Nattawut is confident he'll come back a better fighter after coming up short against Superbon.

In September, Nattawut stepped inside the ring with Superbon at ONE Friday Fights 81 and was determined to deliver an absolute barn-burner against the current undisputed ONE featherweight kickboxing king. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.

Nattawut suffered a brutal first-round knockout loss against Superbon — his second defeat in three months.

Determined to bounce back this Friday, January 24 when ONE Championship returns to Impact Arena in Bangkok for a loaded ONE 170 fight card, Nattawut believes his loss against Superbon will only serve to make him a better fighter.

“When I look back at every fight, no matter what the result is, I always learn lessons that I can use to improve myself," Nattawut told ONE. "The last fight I lost to Superbon, I have to admit that he prepared well and started the game faster than I expected, while I was a bit slow to warm up."

He added:

"This is a lesson for me that I should have started the game faster. I can’t just stand there and watch him attacking me.”

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Jo Nattawut faces a tough test against up-and-coming French fighter Bampara Kouyate

Desperately seeking his first win since a December 2023 showdown with Luke Lessei, 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut is set to square off with former WMC Muay Thai world champion Bampara Douyate at ONE 170.

Nattawut vs. Kouyate will be a battle of top five contenders in the featherweight Muay Thai division with 'Smokin' Jo holding things down as the second-ranked contender while Kouyate currently sits as the fourth-ranked contender in one of ONE's most stacked weight classes.

Kouyate's last appearance inside the Circle came at ONE Fight Night 23 in July where he scored his own impressive victory against the aforementioned Luke Lessei.

Will the 29-year-old Frenchman hand Nattawut his third straight loss on martial arts' biggest global stage, or will the Thai climb back into the win column and re-establish himself as one of the division's most fearsome strikers?

ONE Championship fans can catch ONE 170 live on Friday, January 24 at watch.onefc.com.