5 Biggest Takeaways From ONE Friday Fights 137: Tawanchai Vs. Liu
ONE Friday Fights 137: Tawanchai vs. Liu delivered a spectacular finale to ONE Championship’s 2025 event calendar.
This past Friday, December 19, the Asia primetime showcase produced shocking upsets, devastating knockouts, and two US$100,000 contract winners who punched their ticket to the main roster of the world’s largest martial arts organization.
From the opening bell to the stunning main event conclusion, every bout at ONE Friday Fights 137 inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium gave the global fan base plenty to talk about.
With that in mind, here are the five biggest takeaways from another magical night in the Thai capital.
#1 Liu Proves He’s Ready For Superbon
“Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang silenced every skeptic and announced himself as one of the featherweight kickboxing division’s most dangerous challengers with a stunning first-round TKO victory over Tawanchai PK Saenchai.
The Chinese star’s vicious inside leg kicks forced the reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion to collapse in agony just 52 seconds into the main event of ONE Friday Fights 137.
Liu’s highlight-reel triumph improved his career record to 35-7. In addition, it marked his third win on the global stage in 12 months – and each victory has been more impressive than the last.
This run includes dominant unanimous decision wins over former Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Shadow Singha Mawynn and former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri.
With the organization’s undisputed featherweight kickboxing king Superbon waiting for his next challenge after unifying the gold against Noiri at ONE 173 last month, Liu has positioned himself perfectly for what could be a dream matchup for the fans in 2026.
The Chinese sensation’s bout-ending leg kicks and aggressive striking arsenal present a stylistic nightmare that could give the divisional ruler a run for his money.
#2 Sam-A Still Has Plenty Left In The Tank
Former two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao closed out 2025 with a vintage display that reminded everyone why he remains one of the most respected warriors in the striking realm.
The 42-year-old legend claimed a hard-fought unanimous decision over Thai compatriot Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi in strawweight Muay Thai action, but it was far from easy. In the opening frame, Jaosuayai was wild and aggressive, as he battered the veteran with a melee of shots that took its toll.
Sam-A, however, flipped the script with a pair of knockdowns in round two – the first coming via left hook, and the second coming via a left uppercut-cross combination. He continued dominating Jaosuayai in the third stanza en route to a unanimous decision, which elevated his record to 377-50.
More importantly, back-to-back victories – the first coming against Thway Lin Htet – have erased the painful memory of the Evolve MMA representative’s loss to Jonathan Di Bella in their ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Title battle at ONE 172 in March.
Now riding momentum into 2026, the living legend finds himself at a fascinating crossroads. Does he pursue redemption against Di Bella, who unified the kickboxing crown by outpointing Prajanchai PK Saenchai in their rematch this past October? Or does he target Prajanchai for another shot at Muay Thai glory?
If his performance against Jaosuayai proved anything, it’s that Sam-A still possesses the veteran savvy and finishing power to compete with the division’s best strikers. In fact, age may be just a number for the Thai icon.
#3 Siasarani Is A Bonafide Threat
Mohammad Siasarani overcame an early storm to capture the most significant victory of his career, knocking out former ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title challenger “Smokin” Jo Nattawut with a stinging one-two combination at the 1:39 mark of round two.
The impressive highlight-reel stoppage earned the young Iranian a US$100,000 ONE Championship contract and announced him as one to watch in the talent-packed weight bracket.
Nattawut rocked the 23-year-old with a cracking right hand in the opening frame. However, Siasarani shook off the cobwebs to catch his foe with a perfectly timed sequence that ended the bout emphatically in the very next round.
It wasn’t anything new for the Team Mehdi Zatout representative, however.
Siasarani has displayed his finishing power and striking dexterity across 10 promotional outings. Moreover, he remains the only fighter to defeat Liu in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
The Iranian bruiser heads into the new year on a four-bout winning streak, and with more performances like the one he had at ONE Friday Fights 137, his future looks limitless.
#4 Yod-IQ Is On Fire
Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri exacted revenge in spectacular fashion, knocking out Alexey Balyko with a perfectly timed high right kick at 2:06 of the opening round to earn a US$100,000 ONE Championship contract.
The 23-year-old Thai technician displayed remarkable patience, reading the Russian striker’s game before uncorking the match-winning moment that forced the referee to wave off their featherweight Muay Thai contest.
That finish helped the Thai avenge his lone promotional setback – a unanimous decision loss to Balyko at ONE Friday Fights 33 in September 2023.
At the same time, it took his winning run inside the squared circle to nine in a row and pushed his career record to an impressive 126-36.
That streak isn’t built on soft opposition, either. Along the way, Yod-IQ has defeated dangerous knockout artist Abdulla “Smash Boy” Dayakaev, among other top talents, proving his ability to solve different stylistic puzzles.
Now, on a winning note and armed with a main roster contract, Yod-IQ enters 2026 positioned for high-profile matchups that could push him closer to the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.
#5 Rising Stars Continue To Leave Their Mark At ONE Friday Fights
ONE Friday Fights 137 served as another reminder that the most exciting weekly martial arts series continues to produce World Championship-caliber talent.
Road to ONE: Japan winner Shimon, as well as Thai fighters Gingsanglek Wor Kumchamnarn and Duangdawnoi “Little Star” Looksaikongdin, got their hands raised in their respective Muay Thai assignments, further proving that ONE Friday Fights remains a breeding ground for the stars of tomorrow.
Gingsanglek swept his rematch with Suriyanlek Por Yenying, earning a unanimous decision in flyweight action to make it three consecutive wins.
In another battle contested in the same division, Shimon improved his winning run to 11 victories with a decisive unanimous decision over Dedduanglek TDed99. Meanwhile, Duangdawnoi claimed a second-round knockout over Canadian debutant Regan “Coconut” Gowing in a women’s atomweight tilt.
These performances underscore why ONE Friday Fights has become the most reliable pipeline for future World Title contenders.
Reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane and ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Stella “Always Hungry” Hemetsberger both earned US$100,000 contracts through the platform before capturing gold this year.
As such, the question isn’t whether more graduates will become World Champions. The question is who will be next?
