Surging ONE flyweight Muay Thai contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai has fully embraced the underdog tag ahead of his fight against flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9.
After paying his dues with an impressive 8-1 run and earning himself a ONE Championship contract, the 27-year-old upstart is ready to cash in on what could end up being a career-defining opportunity.
In the penultimate match of ONE Friday Fights 68 on June 28, Kongthoranee will take a major step up in competition when he locks horns with 'The Kicking Machine' in a three-round Muay Thai war.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Knowing the odds are stacked against him since he'll battle one of the pound-for-pound best strikers in the world, the Thai slugger said he'll fight to the best of his abilities inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kongthoranee shared during the ONE Friday Fights 68 virtual press conference:
"I hope on Friday I will give my best performance."
The Sor Sommai product continued:
"I regard Superlek as one of the best fighters in the world but I'm going into our fight with a purpose and that's to give it my all."
ONE Friday Fights 68 will air live in Asian Primetime. Follow this link to see local listings for the availability in your region.
Superlek impressed by Kongthoranee's meteoric rise
Before he became a global superstar in the world's largest martial arts organization, Superlek also had to work his way up the ladder against grueling competition.
As such, the Kiatmoo9 Gym affiliate appreciates the hard work and dedication that Kongthoranee, who rose from obscurity to make a name for himself in the promotion, has put in.
In the same interview, Superlek praised his opponent's dominant seven-fight winning streak:
"I think for someone like Kongthoranee to rise and get the contract, he is definitely not an athlete who can be underestimated."