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- Muay Thai Culture News 2/03/25
Muay Thai Culture News 2/03/25
All the best news, clicks, and tricks!
Aaron Veverka
February 03, 2025
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Muay Thai Culture News 2/03/25
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The iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok will soon play host to a battle for American Muay Thai supremacy, as California natives Sean “The One” Climaco and promotional newcomer Diego Paez are set to throw down in a flyweight scrap at ONE Fight Night 28: Prajanchai vs. Barboza on Prime Video.
That matchup will air live in U.S. primetime on Friday, February 7, and will mark the third encounter between the two strikers.
A veteran of two entertaining battles in the world’s largest martial arts organization, Climaco spoke to onefc.com about his previous fights against Paez.
Given their history, he said fans can expect a barnburner:
“The first fight, I won by TKO. The second fight, he fought a little bit differently. He actually caught me with a spinning elbow at the end of the first round, which I felt like should have been a flash knockdown because I got up really fast as the bell rang, and then the ref gave me an eight-count. If I didn’t get that eight-count, I would have won the fight. That second fight ended up being a draw.
“This [third fight] is something that him and I have been like itching for over the last five years. It’s something he wants, something I want, and it’s gonna be an exciting fight, especially for American Muay Thai.”
Tawanchai PK Saenchai delivered on his promise at ONE 170 last Friday, January 24, leaving no room for doubt as he decisively vanquished Superbon.
After their razor-thin battle in December 2023, where Tawanchai edged out a contentious majority decision, the Thai superstar ensured there was no debate this time. He overwhelmed his compatriot in under two rounds, successfully defending his ONE featherweight Muay Thai world championship in emphatic fashion.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
From the opening bell, the 25-year-old striker showcased his blistering speed and devastating power, repeatedly staggering Superbon with crisp boxing combinations.
By the second round, Tawanchai was in full control, flooring his rival three times en route to a spectacular technical knockout, igniting a frenzy inside the sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
His masterful performance didn’t just tighten his grip on the divisional throne — it also came with a hefty reward. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong awarded Tawanchai a $50,000 bonus for his electrifying display.
MANILA, Philippines – For centuries, the Cordillerans have been known to be some of the toughest people in the Philippines. From fending off land-hungry Spaniards to helping American soldiers in World War II, the Cordilleran people have proven their long-standing reputation.
No wonder, a Cordilleran has been making waves in the muay thai scene.
Islay Erika Bomogao, a member of the Igorot tribe in Cordillera, earned the honor to be named world No. 1 fighter by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations in the female -45kg elite class in 2024.
This came after Bomogao became the first Filipina world muay thai champion after topping the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Coalition Muay Thai fight card was held on Saturday at the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico, and headlining the event was New Mexico’s own, Jalin Fuller. A seasoned pro in the MMA ranks, Fuller made a successful Muay Thai debut stopping ranked opponent Zach Bunnell with a third-round TKO.
“You know, just crowding us, you know it was one of those games where we weren’t making a lot of shots. The first half was obviously very choppy with all the free throws, but I don’t think they did too good of a job on Donovan because he had 34 points. You know, he was terrific and we have to shoot the ball a little bit better, but we were great, I don’t know the numbers from two, but we were great at the rim,” said Jalin Fuller.
With three explosive finishes across three title fights in Bangkok, ONE 170 was a night to remember. It might even go down as one of the most exciting cards in ONE Championship history.
But beyond the action in the ring, the event had a touch of Hollywood magic, with the crew of Russell Crowe’s latest film, Beast in Me, on-site filming scenes for the coming movie.
The production’s grand finale was shot after ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai defended his title in emphatic fashion against top-ranked contender Superbon.
The film’s final battle between protagonist Patton James, played by Daniel MacPherson, and his rival Xavier Grau (Bren Foster) took place in the ring, surrounded by a sea of the promotion’s signature gold confetti.
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ONE Championship’s monumental return to Japan keeps getting better and better, as the promotion has now added a plethora of World Title bouts to the blockbuster fight card for ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, which goes down live at Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, March 23.
In addition to the two previously announced World Championship tilts, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced at a press conference in Japan on Friday that featherweight Muay Thai king Tawanchai PK Saenchai will face Japanese superstar Masaaki Noiri for the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title.
The card will also feature a ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Title clash between former champions Jonathan Di Bella and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao. Plus, Sityodtong confirmed that if Japanese striking ace Kana Morimoto emerges victorious at ONE Friday Fights 95, then she will challenge reigning divisional queen Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom for the ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship.
ONE Championship is closing the first month of the year with an explosive installment of its weekly Asia primetime event series.
The world’s largest martial arts organization will broadcast ONE Friday Fights 95 live from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 31, and the 11-bout card is packed with several Muay Thai, MMA, and kickboxing rising stars who are looking to make an impact.
In the main event, Thai favorites Yodlekpet Or Atchariya and Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi go head-to-head in a flyweight Muay Thai battle with the hopes of winning a six-figure contract and spot on ONE’s global roster.
Also, in a featured bout, #4-ranked divisional contender Kiamran Nabati looks to maintain his undefeated record when he faces Ferrari Fairtex in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash.
Ellis Badr Barboza is thankful for the profound impact Muay Thai has had on his life. Growing up in a rough and tumble neighborhood, Barboza discovered 'the art of eight limbs' and instantly fell in love with the discipline, which allowed him to course-correct his life and live with purpose.
Speaking to Fightlore Official in a recent interview, Barboza shared the effect 'the art of eight limbs' has had on his life and career.
The 24-year-old said:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"I just love all aspects of Muay Thai, testing yourself, the training, the discipline. For me, at that time [when I first discovered it], I was very young and I was very distracted with other things - sometimes on the streets causing problems. So the gym gave me a focus."
Barboza is now ready to step into the ONE Championship ring and challenge for the gold in the world's largest martial arts organization. It is a culmination of his career up to the point, and if he can pull off the upset, it will be a lifelong dream finally realized.
Fans won't have to wait long to see Ellis Badr Barboza back in action.
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After a brief hiatus, the hottest weekly series in combat sports is back in your life for another round of Muay Thai, MMA, and kickboxing action live in Asia primetime this Friday, January 31.
ONE Friday Fights 95 will emanate from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, as many more rising stars resume their hunt for a lucrative US$100,000 contract with the world’s largest martial arts organization.
In January at ONE 165, Japanese megastar Takeru “The Natural Born Crusher” Segawa made his hotly anticipated promotional debut against defending ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 in front of a rapt audience at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
The main event sees a highly anticipated flyweight Muay Thai clash, as four-time Muay Thai World Champion Yodlekpet Or Atchariya meets revered knockout artist Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi.
Yodlekpet has asserted himself as one of the heaviest hitters in the flyweight Muay Thai realm. He’s earned four knockouts in six promotional victories, beating stern opposition in Denis Puric, Silviu Vitez, and Puengluang Baanramba.
He’ll be looking to kick-start his 2025 with another thunderous performance, but his foe is cut from a similar cloth.
Superbon isn't giving up on his dreams of one day strapping the ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title around his waist.
Returning to the Circle at ONE 170 inside Impact Arena in Bangkok, Superbon came up short for the second time in his bid to bag his first Muay Thai title under the ONE Championship banner. Squaring off with the division's current king, Tawanchai PK Saenchai, in the evening's headliner, Superbon succumbed to a vicious second-round knockout, forcing him to leave the iconic venue emptyhanded.
Even though he's failed to dethrone Tawanchai twice now, Superbon still believes that he'll bounce back even better and one day claim the 26 pounds of gold that has eluded him thus far.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
“I promise I won't give up on my goals," he told ONE. "I'll keep fighting for all my fans and I'll learn from my mistakes."
Truth be told, Superbon didn't leave Bangkok entirely empty-handed. After all, he's still the undisputed ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion.
But for how long?
Nabil Anane’s career-defining victory at ONE 170 last Friday, January 24, is just the beginning of what he believes will be an era of dominance.
In front of a sold-out crowd at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, the Thai-Algerian phenom shocked the world by dethroning Nico Carrillo to claim the ONE interim bantamweight Muay Thai world championship.
The 6-foot-4 sensation took to Instagram to express his gratitude, assuring the team behind him that this triumph is merely the start of bigger things ahead:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
“Thank you so much, you guys, my greatest team! We have won together, and this is only the first step. Much more is coming, Inshallah! I love all of you, guys!”
Anane’s stunning performance at ONE 170 saw him defy the odds against the heavily favored Carrillo, who entered the bout riding a dominant 15-fight winning streak.
Many viewed Carrillo as an unstoppable force, but the 20-year-old seized his golden opportunity in emphatic fashion.
Utilizing his exceptional reach, Anane systematically broke Carrillo down from the outside before unleashing the fight-ending sequence. A right hand sent the Scottish star crashing to the canvas for the first knockdown.
Though Carrillo made it back to his feet, Anane wasted no time in pressing forward. He launched a devastating high kick that folded“King of the North,” forcing a second standing eight-count.
Dazed but determined, Carrillo rose once more — only to be met with a relentless onslaught. A final, explosive combination capped off by another crushing right hand sent the Scotsman down for the third and final time, sealing the TKO victory in favor of Anane at 2:35 of the first round.
Freddie Haggerty may have come up short against Jordan Estupinan at ONE 170 last Friday, January 24, but his courageous performance left a lasting impression on fans.
The Englishman endured a grueling battle against the Colombian prospect in their flyweight Muay Thai clash at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, showcasing his never-say-die attitude in front of a packed crowd.
Adding to the drama, ONE Championship released a special video angle of the fight, capturing the moment Freddie’s older brother, ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty, offered crucial instructions and motivation during the hard-fought contest.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
From the opening bell, it was a war of attrition. Estupinan set the tone with a steady stream of kicks, keeping Freddie guessing. But those kicks served as mere decoys for the devastating power he unleashed in the second round.
As Freddie stepped in with a looping punch, Estupinan countered with a thunderous right hand, scoring the first knockdown of the bout. Though the British prospect beat the count, 'Panda Kick' wasted no time in flooring him again with another blow.
To his credit, Freddie refused to back down. In the final round, he pressed forward with aggressive body combinations, desperately trying to shift the momentum. However, Estupinan stood his ground, absorbing the pressure and responding with sharp counters.
After three electrifying rounds, Estupinan secured a unanimous decision victory.
Double ONE world champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai said he is fully ready for his scheduled title defense next week and maintains his elite status in ONE Championship.
The reigning strawweight Muay Thai world champion will defend his championship belt against British challenger Ellis Badr Barboza in the headlining contest at ONE Fight Night 28 on Feb. 8 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
It will be the first defense of Prajanchai of the strawweight Muay Thai gold after unifying the division's championship belts in December 2023.
Speaking with Thailand's INN Sports, the 30-year-old PK Saenchai Muaythaigym standout, who is also the reigning strawweight kickboxing world champion, shared his state of readiness for his showdown against Barboza.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
He said:
“For this world title defense, I am beyond 100 percent ready. I’ve been training hard for a month and a half and now I’m ready to fight.”
Superbon reflected on what went wrong in his recent fight against Tawanchai.
In the ONE 170 main event, Superbon attempted to extend his legendary resume by challenging featherweight Muay Thai world champion Tawanchai in a rematch.
Tawanchai emerged victorious by unanimous decision in their first meeting in December 2023. This time around, Tawanchai defended his throne more definitively with a second-round knockout.
During an interview with ONE, Superbon opened up about his second defeat against Tawanchai by saying:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"In the first round, I felt like I executed my game plan well. However, in the second round, when I was counted, it had happened before in the first round. But at that time, I punched, and the weight of my punch stopped him. But in the second round, the weight of my punch couldn't stop him. So it was my mistake."
Twanchai was one of four fighters to receive a $50,000 performance bonus for his knockout at ONE 170.
The other three to receive the added money are bantamweight MMA world champion Fabricio Andrade, interim bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nabil Anane, and lightweight Muay Thai contender Sinsamut Klinmee.
The replay of ONE 170 can be seen for free by North American and Canadian viewers via watch.one.fc.com.
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