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Chinese kickboxing superstar Wei Rui is willing to consider a transition to Muay Thai following his ONE Championship debut.
Before signing with ONE, Wei cemented his legacy by becoming the first Chinese K-1 world champion.
The 34-year-old now looks to extend his combat sports resume when he makes his promotional debut in a bantamweight kickboxing matchup against Hiroki Akimoto on May 3 at ONE Fight Night 22.
During an interview with ONE, Wei had this to say about potentially transitioning to Muay Thai after establishing himself in the bantamweight kickboxing division:
"I want to stay focused on the current fight now. If it's a perfect fight, I will consider Muay Thai later."
The bantamweight Muay Thai division in ONE Championship is filled with high-level action-packed fighters.
If Wei does transition, several intriguing opponents include but are not limited to Saemapetch Fairtex, Felipe Lobo, and the reigning champion, Jonathan Haggerty.
ONE Fight Night 22, including Akimoto vs Wei, goes down inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
What's at stake in Wei Rui's next kickboxing fight?
In Nov. 2023, ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Jonathan Haggerty fought bantamweight MMA king Fabricio Andrade for the vacant kickboxing throne in their division. Haggerty knocked out Andrade in round two to claim two-sport supremacy.
On Sept. 5, Haggerty will defend his Muay Thai throne against Superlek in the ONE 168 co-main event. Regardless of the outcome, 'The General' could return to the bantamweight kickboxing division for a world title defense later this year.
The winner of Hiroki Akimoto vs Wei Rui could be next in line for Haggerty's throne. Akimoto is a former ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion, so he would be more likely to receive the opportunity. There were rumors he would fight 'The General' before the promotion announced his upcoming matchup against Superlek.
With that said, an impressive performance for Wei Rui in his promotional debut could also lead to a fight against Haggerty.
