5 Electrifying Reasons To Watch ONE Friday Fights 138 On January 16
ONE Championship kicks off another record-breaking year with ONE Friday Fights 138 on January 16, a fight card designed to produce non-stop action from start to finish.
Broadcasting live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, the 14-bout showcase features explosive matchups across Muay Thai, MMA, and kickboxing that promise fireworks for as long as they last.
With several athletes standing on the precipice of earning life-changing US$100,000 contracts with the world’s largest martial arts organization, every bout carries massive stakes.
Before the opening bell rings inside the Mecca of Muay Thai, here are five reasons why ONE Friday Fights 138 is a can’t-miss event.
#1 An Explosive Headline Attraction
Flyweight Muay Thai takes center stage when Thailand’s Pompet PongSuphan PK collides with compatriot Decho Por Borirak in a main event that has barnburner written all over it.
Pompet brings a 161-fight resume and dangerous finishing power into this contest. The 27-year-old announced himself on the global stage with a blistering 75-second knockout of Duangsompong Jitmuangnon, and he’s continued proving his ability to shut opponents down isn’t a fluke.
Most recently, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym standout secured back-to-back victories over Yodlekpet “The Destroyer” Or Atchariya and Scottish dynamo Gregor Thom, scoring three knockdowns against the latter before earning a second-round TKO this past November.
Standing across from him is the hungry young challenger, aiming for his fourth promotional triumph. After back-to-back wins against fellow countryman Isannuea ChotBangsaen, Decho went down to Suriyanlek Por Yenying in a closely contested fight.
However, he earned revenge against the Tor Sangtiennoi man just a month later in their rematch with a dominant unanimous decision that showcased his evolution and mental fortitude.
With both fighters possessing proven knockout power and the hunger to seize this opportunity, expect an all-out war that could end at any moment.
#2 Two Knockout Artists Collide
The co-main event features a collision between two entertaining finishers when Chartpayak Saksatoon faces Ayad Albadr in what promises to be a highlight reel waiting to happen.
Chartpayak burst onto the ONE Friday Fights scene with explosive impact, opening his promotional run with four successive knockouts that immediately caught the attention of the global fan base. The Kiatpet warrior continued his fine form and moved to 7-0 in ONE.
Unfortunately, he suffered an untimely setback to Lebanese star Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash in June of last year, snapping his perfect start. But the Thai striker bounced back decisively, wrapping up the year with a brilliant three-round display against Uzbekistan’s Samandar Khasanov at ONE Friday Fights 133 in November.
He’ll have his radar firmly locked on another highlight-reel moment against the Iranian fighter later this week, but his opponent Albadr has finishing power that may prove to be Chartpayak’s kryptonite.
The Team Mehdi Zatout athlete arrives on the back of two insane finishes. He put Nuapet TDed99 to sleep with a ferocious uppercut before leaving another Thai slugger Petlampun Muadablampang staring at the Lumpinee lights.
When two battlers known for their aggressive finishing ability meet, someone’s night will end early. So, fans shouldn’t blink when they trade leather on fight night.
#3 The Return Of An Undefeated Dynamo
British-Pakistani sensation Ubaid “Bad” Hussain makes his highly anticipated return to the squared circle, carrying a perfect 13-0 record and all the hype that comes with being an undefeated talent.
The 20-year-old Leeds bruiser has looked impressive across four appearances on the global stage, and he’ll want to keep that momentum going as he aims for a US$100,000 main roster contract.
So far, he’s picked up three unanimous decision triumphs alongside a first-round knockout of Petsinchai Kingballroofphuket in his promotional bow at ONE Friday Fights 90.
Standing in his path at ONE Friday Fights 138 is Brazil Aekmuangnon, a fellow young gun who’s eager to gain his sixth promotional win.
The fighting pride of Aekmuangnon gym enters the new year fresh off a scorching second-round TKO against Soufiane “Patika” Mejdoubi late last year. Despite being only 20 years old, Brazil brings the experience and durability that have troubled many veterans before.
This featured flyweight Muay Thai bout of the night represents a pivotal juncture for both talents.
For Hussain, the challenge is clear: continue living up to the hype against his toughest test yet. For Brazil, he wants to use his experience and durability to play spoiler and hand the young Brit his first professional defeat.
#4 A Perfect Record On The Line
Tonglampoon FA Group has been nothing short of sensational throughout his ONE campaign, going a perfect 7-0 against crafty “Art of Eight Limbs” specialists.
More impressively, the FA Group representative has captivated audiences with three highlight-reel finishes, combining technical precision with finishing instinct that have made him one of the most dangerous young strikers on the weekly series.
Each victory has brought the 22-year-old closer to a spot on the main roster, and another dominant performance in this strawweight Muay Thai rematch against Kohtao Petsomnuk could see him unlock his dream contract with ONE.
His most recent triumph came last August against Kohtao himself. Tonglampoon emerged victorious via majority decision in that crazy slugfest, dubbed by analysts as one of the wildest ever fights in ONE.
But the razor-thin nature of the result left questions unanswered about who truly holds the advantage. As such, Kohtao enters with added motivation.
Though things haven’t gone quite to plan for the Thai under the ONE banner, he’s done his bit to impress. His third-round TKO of Amnartdet Sitnayokmot proves that he possesses the finishing ability to derail anyone’s perfect record.
Given the fireworks they produced in their first encounter, this ONE Friday Fights 138 should deliver another instant classic with even higher stakes riding on the outcome.
#5 Malaysia And Indonesia Renew Their Rivalry
One of Southeast Asia’s most heated sporting rivalries gets underway in atomweight Muay Thai action when Malaysia’s Rifdean Masdor faces Indonesia’s Mohamad “Rocky” Redho.
For decades, the two neighboring countries have engaged in fierce sporting battles across every discipline imaginable, from football to hockey to badminton to combat sports.
This rivalry carries emotional weight that both athletes understand deeply, making their meeting inside Lumpinee about more than personal glory.
Rifdean enters with impressive credentials and momentum. The hard-hitting Malaysian has gone 4-1 in his five ONE Friday Fights appearances, including three destructive first-round finishes.
Victory for the 23-year-old could see him join fellow Malaysians Jojo Ghazali and Aliff Sor Dechapan in earning the coveted contract and advancing to ONE’s global roster.
Redho makes his comeback after a hard-fought promotional debut against Thailand’s Fahlikit NayokJoyprajin. Though he suffered a loss, the Indonesian warrior displayed the heart and determination that earned him this high-profile shot.
With national pride on the line, this banger should be fun for as long as it lasts and add to already impressive ONE Friday Fights 138.
