Winning a World Title in ONE Championship’s Super Series division will be a dream come true for “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai.
On Friday, he starts his journey toward that goal when he battles “The Million Dollar Baby” Sangmanee Klong SuanPluResort in the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament semifinals at ONE: NO SURRENDER III in Bangkok, Thailand.
“The goal I set for myself in ONE Championship is to become the champion,” Kulabdam told ONEFC.com
If he defeats Sangmanee, he will battle Saemapetch Fairtex in the finals of the four-man tournament with the winner getting a shot at reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao sometime in the future.
But for now, his focus is entirely on Sangmanee, who Kulabdam expects to come out swinging.
“Brother Sangmanee has a skillful fighting style with a high IQ,” Kulabdam said.
“The scariest tactics of Sangmanee are his left foot and his elbows. They are very scary. I do feel somewhat worried, but I am happy to fight someone of his caliber.”
However, “Left Meteorite” is confident in his own skills.
Though he has only competed once under the ONE Super Series banner, Kulabdam has already done a lot. The 21-year-old is a two-time Lumpinee Stadium Champion and the 2017 Fighter Of The Year according to the Sportswriters Association of Thailand.
His strategy is to bring the heat on Friday and take the action to “The Million Dollar Baby.”
“It’s an aggressive style. I walk at them, I kick their legs, and I punch them. My style is quite risky,” said Kulabdam, who will banner ONE: NO SURRENDER III alongside six other World Champions.
“I am confident in the power of my punches. If I hit him, it will be enough for sure.”
If he does beat Sangmanee, Kulabdam will be on track for his ultimate goal.
“If I win this fight and beat brother Sangmanee, then I will have a bright future ahead of me,” he said. “Maybe I will even be able to compete for the championship.”
Watch ONE: NO SURRENDER III this Friday, as ONE Championship rolls out its third event since its resumption.
Watch the event live on One Sports, One Sports+, or the ONE Super App at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). Also, TV5 will air the event on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT.
