Sinsamut Klinmee on setbacks against Regian Eersel: “I didn’t even want to leave the house”

In his debut and sophomore outings with ONE Championship, Sinsamut Klinmee produced a pair of statement wins to announce himself as a top contender in the lightweight Muay Thai division.

After stopping striking legend Nieky Holzken on his debut, the 27-year old followed it up with a second consecutive finish over another rising contender in Liam Nolan. Unfortunately, what followed was two incredibly close contests with Regian Eersel that left the Thai competitor on the wrong end of the result on both occasions.

Competing for the inaugural ONE lightweight Muay Thai world championship, Sinsamut came close to denying ‘The Immortal’ from two-sport world champion status.

In their first meeting at ONE on Prime Video 3, the judges' decision came right down to the wire before going the way of Eersel.

Their rematch at ONE Friday Fights 9 was another razer-close contest until the defending champion was able to find his opening, stopping Sinsamut in the fourth round to hand him back-to-back losses under the ONE Championship banner.

At ONE Fight Night 16 on November 3, Sinsamut Klinmee is set to make his return to competition and bounce back from his two losses to one of the best in the world.

Once again, he will face Liam Nolan, who will look to correct the mistakes that he made during their first meeting in order to secure the big win that he needs to solidify his contender status.

In an interview with ONE Championship, the Thai competitor opened up about the difficult times he has been battling through as a result of coming so close to becoming a world champion but just falling short:

“After I lost that second fight, I was down and really sad. I didn’t even want to leave the house. It was a disappointment. It took a while to feel better.”

Sinsamut Klinmee went on to say that looking around at those around him was the source of motivation that he needed to get back on the right path and put the past behind him:

“It took time, but I eventually came to realize that I didn’t want to give up. I looked at my nephews and the kids at my gym. I tell them all the time to not give up. If I don’t bounce back and try again, who am I to tell them these things? I feel like I have to be a good role model for them.”

ONE Fight Night 16 will air live and free in U.S. primetime for North American viewers with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.