5 Things To Know About Jimmy Vienot Before His Muay Thai World Title Challenge At ONE 157
Jimmy Vienot will be a fresh face in ONE Championship when he steps into the Circle on Friday, 20 May, but the French striker is no stranger to the Muay Thai elite.
The man known as “JV01″ will challenge Thai star Petchmorakot Petchyindee for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of ONE 157, and he’s earned this massive opportunity with an incredible resume.
Here are five things you need to know about Vienot before his highly anticipated promotional debut at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
#1 One Of Europe’s Greatest Exports
Despite being just 26 years old, Vienot is already considered one of the best European Muay Thai fighters of all time.
He made his professional debut in Thailand back in 2013 and hasn’t taken his foot off the gas since, competing back home in France and across the globe.
In 2019, “JV01” became just the sixth non-Thai fighter in history to win the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Title – solidifying his position as a future great.
#2 He’s A Multiple-Time World Champion
Vienot has won a raft of top-end belts in “the art of eight limbs.”
Along with his Lumpinee Stadium gold, the Frenchman has claimed WBC and WMC World Titles in the pro ranks, multiple IFMA World Championships, and plenty more regional belts along the way.
If he can topple Petchmorakot, the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title would be the crowning glory atop his huge stack of accolades.
#3 He’s Fought The Best Outside Of ONE
The experienced Frenchman is ready to face the best of the best in ONE, but his impressive back catalog already includes some legendary names.
Vienot has competed against fellow ONE strikers Sorgraw Petchyindee, Rafi Bohic, and Bobo Sacko outside of the promotion, and he’s also battled Thai icons like Petchboonchu FA Group, Yodwicha Banchamek, and Pakorn PK.Saenchai.
After sharing the ring with these World Champion athletes, “JV01” won’t be fazed when he stands across from Petchmorakot in “The Lion City.”
#4 He’s Competed In MMA
While Vienot has made his biggest mark in the striking world, he recently tried his hand at mixed martial arts, winning his pro debut in September 2021.
That success did not come out of nowhere. The Frenchman’s first martial art was judo, which he started training at the age of 4 and continued with until he found the stand-up arts as a teenager.
It’s unclear whether Vienot will test himself in the all-encompassing sport under the ONE Championship banner, but there are some exciting potential avenues if he ever goes that route.
#5 He Trains Alongside Elite Fighters
Although he’s trained and competed extensively in Thailand, Vienot has spent most of his career fighting out of Star Boxing gym in Montpellier, France.
But on 20 May, “JV01” will represent the famous Venum Training Camp in Pattaya, which is home to many of ONE’s top athletes.
Former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Alaverdi Ramazanov, former ONE World Title contender Mehdi Zatout, and fellow ONE strikers Fahdi Khaled and Samy Sana are among Vienot’s training partners at the Thai stable.
