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ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai has had some tough battles of late, including a kickboxing showdown with veteran Thai fighter Jo Nattawut in October last year. He had to dig deep to come up with a win.
The PK Saenchai Muay Thai gym representative was initially scheduled to defend his world title against fellow Thai superstar Superbon at ONE Fight Night 15 on Oct. 7, 2023 until the latter had to withdraw because of injury.
In came 'Smokin' Jo as a short-notice replacement opponent in what became a three-round kickboxing match. The two battled in a war of attrition, with Tawanchai admitting in the aftermath that the contest was among the toughest in his career.
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ONE Championship relived the epic battle in an Instagram post to hype up Tawanchai's return to action in January.
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Check out the video post below:
The two elite fighters met in a rematch back in June, with Nattawut challenging Tawanchai for the featherweight Muay Thai belt. The reigning champion retained the world title, but much like their first encounter, he had to go through the wringer to grind out a majority decision win.
Tawanchai and Jo Nattawut featured at ONE 170
Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Jo Nattawut return to action at ONE 170 on Jan. 24 but this time against different opponents. The two are part of what is being set up as a stacked event to set the tone for ONE Championship in 2025.
The PK Saenchai Muay Thai gym standout will defend the featherweight Muay Thai world title against the division's interim kickboxing king Superbon in a rematch of their first encounter a year ago, where the former retained the gold by majority decision.
It will be the Tawanchai's fourth defense of the world title he seized in September 2022.
Nattawut, for his part, competes in a featherweight Muay Thai match against French fighter Bampara Kouyate. 'Smokin' seeks to rebound at ONE 170 after losing to Superbon in his last match in September.
ONE 170 will take place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and air live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
