This September 15, brace yourselves for a combat sports extravaganza like no other. ONE Friday Fights 33 is set to unleash a spellbinding series of Muay Thai and MMA clashes from the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Comprising 13 bouts, this Asia primetime event marks yet another milestone in the ever-evolving martial arts landscape.
In the Muay Thai main event, Yod-IQ PK Saenchai is gearing up to take on Russian powerhouse Alexey Balyko in a 150-pound catchweight bout. Yod-IQ, the 21-year-old sensation from Thailand, brings an unblemished 2-0 record in ONE Friday Fights and a lot of hype. His debut saw him score a stoppage win over Samuel Bielen, followed by a convincing decision victory over Mavlud Tupiev.
Working in tandem with ONE World Champions Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Prajanchai PK Saenchai, Yod-IQ confidently states, “I want to join my superstar teammates at the top.” His intent is clear—his rise within the ranks is far from over.
On the other side, Alexey Balyko makes his ONE debut with a strong backing. A 30-year-old representing Tiger Muay Thai, Balyko has honed his skills alongside bantamweight MMA king Fabricio Andrade. Balyko is adamant that his training has equipped him for this clash: “I’ll be ready for the intensity of a top-level rival.”
While the main event offers its own magnetic pull, the undercard too is laden with rich narratives and high stakes. In a 124-pound catchweight bout, Panthep VK Khaoyai will take on Chalamkhao PK Saenchai. A three-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion, Panthep is on a redemptive quest after losing to Stephen Irvine in his last outing.
Chalamkhao, a 21-year-old with a 1-1 record in ONE Friday Fights, is sharpening his elbows to halt Panthep’s resurgence. His tactical prowess could be the curveball that disrupts Panthep’s meticulous plans.
Furthermore, Abdallah Ondash, Lebanon’s “comeback king,” is matched against Palangboon Wor Santai. Then, WBC Muay Thai World Champion Zehra Dogan is scheduled to face Junior Fairtex. These bouts have all the ingredients to become instant classics.
One of the most compelling stories is that of Ayad AlBadr, Iraq’s pioneering Muay Thai athlete. Taking place at a 129-pound catchweight, AlBadr will face Teeyai PK Saenchai in what could be a make-or-break moment for his career. Having lost a controversial unanimous decision against Elias Ghazali at ONE Friday Fights 2, AlBadr is driven by the intent to settle scores.
“I’ve been working intensely since my January loss and look particularly sharp,” AlBadr says, reflecting on his readiness for this match. Trained by retired Algerian fighter Mehdi Zatout and a two-time IFMA gold medalist, AlBadr’s pedigree can’t be ignored.
Teeyai, with an overall record of 58-20 and three wins in ONE, is no slouch. His impressive stoppages indicate that he’s a formidable challenge for AlBadr. The bout presents an opportunity for AlBadr to stake his claim on one of the sport’s biggest platforms.
Shifting gears from Muay Thai, the MMA section is set to kick off with Pakistan’s Ismail Khan against Korea’s Cho Joon Gun, followed by Russia’s Torepchi Dongak squaring off against Nepal’s Rabindra Dhant. Though these bouts serve as a preamble to an evening steeped in Muay Thai, they offer an added layer of intrigue for fans of mixed martial arts.
