Tawanchai had all of his friends and family ringside for Jamal Yusupov fight - “A very special moment for me”

Tawanchai PK. Saenchai delivered a memorable performance on Friday night at ONE Fight Night 7

Stepping under the bright lights of the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Tawanchai defended his ONE featherweight Muay Thai world championship in spectacular fashion. In front of his home country and a slew of friends and family, the Thai superstar scored a first-round TKO victory with an absolutely vicious leg kick to opponent Jamal Yusupov less than a minute into the contest.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post following his sensational performance, the champ said that the presence of his family and friends made it a truly special evening and one he will remember.

“It was indeed a very special fight because my dad was here and also my friends, and my cousins, my sisters, my brother, they were all here so it was very special for me. It is of course a very special moment for me. Of course, it will be in my memory for a very long time because all my friends are here, my family are here, and I’m very happy.”

The victory improved his record to 5-1 under the ONE Championship banner and was his 129th career victory. At just 23 years old, Tawanchai has made a strong case for being labeled as Muay Thai’s No.1 pound-for-pound ranked fighter.

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Tawanchai is more than ready for a rematch with Sitthichai Sitsonpeenong

Tawanchai only has one blemish on his ONE Championship record. Going back to August 2021, the Thai sensation squared off with eight-time kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion Sitthichai Sitsonpeenong at ONE: Battleground III. After a highly entertaining three-round war, Sitthichai walked away with a closely contested split-decision victory.

It was Sitthichai’s one and only appearance in the art of eight limbs inside the circle, but the fact that he holds a win over the division’s reigning ONE world champion could inspire ‘Killer Kid’ to make another foray into Muay Thai. If that happens, the Muay Thai phenom will be more than ready to defend his crown.

“It’s actually up to ONE,” Tawanchai said in an interview with the promotion. “No problem at all if they watch to set up a fight between me and Sitthichai. There's nothing to be avenged, though. Because he has my respect. But if ONE wants to make this fight happen, then I’m happy to face him.”