Saemapetch Fairtex wants another shot at reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
Before he gets that opportunity, however, he will have to win the four-man ONE Championship Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament, starting with his semi-final match against another former rival – Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym.
Saemapetch and Rodlek clash in the main event of ONE: NO SURRENDER II in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, August 14, but before they do, the Thai recalls his loss to Nong-O.
“During the fight, we spent our full power to fight against each other like we were strangers. I focused on doing my best, and that was the result,” Saemapetch told ONEFC.com.
“Because he has more experience than me, that fight ended with my TKO loss. But I was proud to fight with him.”
The Pattaya resident absorbed a lot from the match against Nong-O, and he plans to take those lessons into the tournament.
“I learned many things from him and adapted it to my style, such as attacking, punching style, heavy strikes, counterattacks, and tactics.”
Moving on to Rodlek, Saemapetch praises his compatriot. Having already gone 1-2 against the PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym standout, he knows he can be equally as dangerous as Nong-O.
“He is like a tank. He keeps attacking by kicks and knee strikes and going forward to keep the pressure on his opponents,” Saemapetch said.
“[His best weapons] would be his fists, elbows, and knees – especially knees because he has mastered knee techniques.”
However, Saemapetch is confident he will get the win in their upcoming fourth foray.
“This time is different, and I also trained for additional skills as well,” the Fairtex standout said.
“I have an ample amount of fighting experience, and I will use my new style to fight with him.”
ONE Championship returns to action with ONE: NO SURRENDER II on August 14 and ONE: NO SURRENDER III on August 21 as The Home Of Martial Arts rolls out its series of live events in the new normal.
Catch the event live on One Sports, One Sports+, and TV5 on Philippine television, or on the ONE Super App.