In the heart of Thailand, Bangkok’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium erupted in a symphony of power and technique during the illustrious ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian. The arena, a crucible of champions, hosted legends and upcoming stars, all proving their mettle.
One such standout was Tawanchai PK Saenchai, the reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion, who showcased a dazzling display of prowess as he ventured into the world of kickboxing. His opponent, the formidable former Glory Kickboxing World Champion Davit Kiria, felt the wrath of Tawanchai’s ferocious strikes. By the third round, Kiria’s defences crumbled under the sheer force of Tawanchai’s strikes, resulting in a shattered arm and an early referee intervention.
While this was Tawanchai’s kickboxing debut in ONE, it wasn’t his maiden dance with a kickboxer in the ring. His bout against the legendary Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong under Muay Thai rules in 2021, though ending in a narrow defeat, was a testament to his resilience. “Losing to Sitthichai was a big disappointment for me,” Tawanchai reflected. “Being 24, there’s much I can improve, especially under kickboxing rules.”
However, come 7 October, Tawanchai’s back in familiar territory, set to defend his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title for the second time. Awaiting him is none other than the ex-ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion, Superbon Singha Mawynn. Superbon, after a meteoric kickboxing run and a jaw-dropping high-kick knockout of Tayfun Ozcan, seeks new glory. But Tawanchai isn’t daunted. “I think it will be an entertaining fight. We share close skills,” he confidently opined.
The main event of the evening witnessed the riveting redemption story of the Azerbaijani-Belarusian star, Chingiz Allazov. Yearning for a rematch against Marat Grigorian since their 2013 duel, Allazov was a man on a mission. Displaying impeccable technique and resilience, Allazov dominated the bout, leaving Grigorian floundering more often than not. With stance switches, precise footwork, and relentless attacking, Allazov left the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium as the undisputed Featherweight Kickboxing King.
Yet, it wasn’t just kickboxing that took centre stage. Mikey Musumeci, the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion, showcased his superiority with a stunning triangle-armbar combination against Jarred Brooks. Dubbed “Darth Rigatoni,” Musumeci’s pace and aggression ended in a spectacular finish against the ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.
ONE Fight Night 13 wasn’t just a night of combat. It was a testament to the spirit of fighters, their relentless quest for dominance, and their undying love for the sport. From redemption to debut wins, the event was a roller-coaster of emotions, technique, and unparalleled entertainment.
