3 Thrilling Reasons To Watch The Inner Circle 36 On October 30
Some fighters arrive at The Inner Circle 36 chasing lost momentum. Others are fighting to protect it. Either way, every bout offers a chance to move forward.
The next installment of weekly action takes place on Friday, October 30, from Bangkok’s storied Lumpinee Stadium. It streams live in Asia primetime, exclusively for members at live.onefc.com.
The five-bout striking showcase centers on redemption, career crossroads, and the race for a main roster deal.
Here are three reasons martial arts fans worldwide should tune in to the action.
A Former ONE World Title Challenger Continues His Climb Back To Gold
Atomweight Muay Thai takes center stage as Numsurin Chor Ketwina, one of the division’s most technically precise strikers, faces Akram “La Pepite” Hamidi in the main event.
The TDed99 representative opened his ONE career with six straight wins in the weekly series, showcasing clinical counter-striking along the way. That run earned him a US$100,000 contract and a shot at the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title.
At ONE 173 in Tokyo last November, Numsurin faced pound-for-pound great Nadaka Yoshinari and showed real grit before falling short against the Japanese superstar over five rounds.
A follow-up loss to Pet Suanluangrodyok in March sent the 31-year-old back to the drawing board. He responded at ONE Friday Fights 160, putting on a disciplined, tactical performance to earn a unanimous decision over fellow former World Title challenger Songchainoi Kiatsongrit.
As he sets out to build another streak, Numsurin meets a dangerous test in Hamidi. The 27-year-old French-Algerian enters off a hard-earned decision over Watcharaphon Laochokcharoen at ONE Friday Fights 164. He brings aggressive combinations and unpredictable spinning attacks to contrast Numsurin’s muay femur timing and defensive evasion.
Now dropping to atomweight for the first time, “La Pepite” can force his way into the title conversation with a win over a top contender. For Numsurin, victory would keep his climb back toward gold on course.
Contenders Seek To Restart Their Runs After Recent Setbacks
Xavier Gonzalez and Ranma both built impressive runs this year before hitting a wall. Now, they look to get back on track against ambitious promotional newcomers.
Gonzalez meets debutant Exza Wankhongohm at flyweight. After an up-and-down start on the weekly series, the Spaniard found his rhythm with back-to-back knockouts of Payaksurin JP Power and Chatanan Apichat Muaythai.
His progress stalled in September with a split-decision loss to Thway Lin Htet at The Inner Circle 30. The 25-year-old must lean on his forward pressure and technical composure to prove his inconsistent days are behind him.
Over in bantamweight kickboxing, Ranma looks to reset his promotional trajectory. The Team Teppen product won his first three ONE bouts, capped by a first-round body-shot knockout of Yi Nuo at ONE Friday Fights 155 that secured his US$100,000 contract.
His main roster debut, however, did not go to plan, as fellow Japanese striker Katsuki Kitano stopped him with knees to the body in the third round at ONE SAMURAI 2 in August. The 22-year-old now opens the card against newcomer Evan Gambuto, looking to reignite his rise among the division’s contenders.
Elsewhere, two Moroccan warriors look to rebound. Yassir “Salvador” Rassafi started strong against Mongkoldetlek Por Pim-on at The Inner Circle 29, until a late knockdown swung the decision. His compatriot, Abdelali “Black Diamond” Zahidi, returns after nearly two years away following a stoppage loss to ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament finalist Marat Grigorian.
Winning Streaks Could Soon Open The Door To The Main Roster
A life-changing US$100,000 contract remains the ultimate prize on ONE’s weekly platform. Thai standouts Tomyamkoong Bhumjaithai and Petkhaokradong Lukjaomaesaithong can move within reach of one by extending their scorching runs of form.
Tomyamkoong has won four straight since dropping his first two ONE outings. That surge features back-to-back highlight finishes, starting with a second-round knockout of Watcharaphon Singha Mawynn and followed by a third-round TKO of Bejenuta Maximus.
From there, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym product showed a more measured side, shutting down Anar “Atilla” Mammadov over three rounds in June. He now takes that streak into a bantamweight Muay Thai clash with Rassafi.
Petkhaokradong has followed a similar path. The 6-foot-3 brawler started 1-2 on the weekly series before finding his footing.
Since then, he has strung together three straight unanimous decisions, capped by a complete performance against Vadzim Shapiatsiuk at The Inner Circle 26. Next up is Zahidi at featherweight, in a bout that could prove a turning point in his contract chase.
A statement win on Friday could bring either man to the brink of a main roster deal. For two fighters who rebuilt from rough starts, that door has never looked closer.
