Breaking Down The 5 Muay Thai Matchups At ONE Fight Night 23
On July 5, ONE Championship will return to U.S. primetime for a can’t-miss lineup of fights.
Notably, ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video will feature several intriguing Muay Thai matchups that are sure to please the raucous Bangkok crowd and those watching live around the world.
Before the fighters square off at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium – also known as the “Mecca of Muay Thai” – we take a look at all five battles in the sport.
Nico Carrillo Vs. Saempaetch
Top-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico “King of the North” Carrillo hopes to earn his third straight win over a Thai fan favorite and punch his ticket to a World Title shot when he meets veteran knockout artist Saemapetch Fairtex.
Undefeated across three thrilling appearances in ONE, Carrillo comes into the contest riding high after scoring a highlight-reel KO of former longtime bantamweight Muay Thai kingpin Nong-O Hama last December.
The 25-year-old knows he’s on the cusp of a crack at gold, but he’ll have to get past the hard-hitting Saemapetch, who is the #4-ranked contender and possesses a dangerous combination of power and veteran savvy.
Luke Lessei Vs. Bampara Kouyate
Fans should expect nothing less than fireworks when surging American sensation Luke “The Chef” Lessei takes on French standout Bampara Kouyate in a featherweight clash.
Currently ranked #5 in the talent-laden featherweight Muay Thai division, Lessei has impressed through a pair of electrifying fights in ONE, showcasing his creative brand of striking and unbreakable Midwestern spirit.
He’s in for a stiff test against the long and lanky Bampara, who recently won a WMC Muay Thai World Title. The Frenchman is moving down from lightweight to battle “The Chef” as he looks to live up to the lofty expectations surrounding him.
Ali Saldoev Vs. Black Panther
At flyweight, one of Thailand’s finest will make his much-anticipated U.S. primetime debut against an undefeated Russian berserker, as Black Panther will go toe-to-toe with Ali Saldoev in a clash between two of the division’s most talented rising stars.
The 31-year-old Thai is a master technician who comes into this contest riding impressive back-to-back wins at the ONE Friday Fights event series.
Saldoev, meanwhile, made his promotional debut in March at ONE 166: Qatar, scoring a spectacular knockout against Zakaria El Jamari. He hopes to employ his massive punching power and ruthless finishing instincts to extend his pristine 7-0 professional record.
Aliff Vs. Ellis Badr Barboza
Lower on the card, 21-year-old Thai phenom Aliff Sor Dechapan will battle British brawler Ellis “El Jefe” Badr Barboza in an explosive strawweight scrap. Both men are known for their show-stopping power and all-action approach to combat.
Aliff racked up four straight victories at ONE Friday Fights, including three by knockout, to earn a six-figure contract and a coveted spot on ONE’s global roster. But after suffering a kickboxing loss to former ONE World Title challenger Zhang Peimian in his U.S. primetime debut, he’s hungry to remind fans what makes him so dangerous.
“El Jefe,” though, is a former WBC European Muay Thai Champion with all the confidence and skills to take out the Thai sensation in enemy territory.
Shinji Suzuki Vs. Stefan Korodi
Rounding out the slate of Muay Thai matchups is a bantamweight fight between respected veteran Shinji Suzuki and Ireland’s Stefan Korodi.
At 38 years old, Suzuki is showing few signs of slowing down, and he’ll come into this bout following a fast-paced decision win over former ONE World Title challenger Han Zi Hao.
The Japanese star will put his venomous boxing game to the test against the hard-hitting Korodi. The 30-year-old showcased stunning power in his promotional debut in January, knocking down Thai superstar Suablack Tor Pran49 to nearly score what would have been a massive upset.
