Liam Harrison Vs. Muangthai PK.Saenchai Named ONE’s 2022 Muay Thai Fight Of The Year
Liam Harrison and Muangthai PK.Saenchai needed less than one round to deliver a fight that will go down in Muay Thai history.
The two veteran strikers waged war for just 139 seconds at ONE 156: Eersel vs. Sadikovic on April 22, but the memory of it will last a lifetime for combat sports fans.
With more drama packed into this intense one-rounder than most five-round battles, it’s no surprise that Harrison and Muangthai’s intense scrap earned ONE’s 2022 Muay Thai Fight of the Year award.
Leeds’ “Hitman” promised to bring his usual marauding style to the Circle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, but it was Thailand’s Muangthai who struck first.
The pair swapped hard low kicks and punches for the opening minute, but “Elbow Zombie’s” rapid high kick was the first shot to land hard, and it toppled Harrison to the canvas for the first knockdown.
The Bad Company man bounced back up, but Muangthai immediately nailed him with a jab-cross that sent him down for a second time just moments later.
It looked like it was going to be a short night for the PK.Saenchai athlete with his rival on the deck twice in the space of 15 seconds, but he left himself open when he tried to finish the job.
“Hitman” stood his ground and clubbed Muangthai with a hurtful right hand and then a left hook that put him down to dramatically shift the momentum.
From hunter to hunted, “Elbow Zombie” got back to his feet under a volley of punches from the English slugger. A hook-uppercut-hook dropped the Bangkok resident again, and now they were even with two visits to the canvas each.
However, the rub of the green was firmly in Harrison’s favor. As soon as he was allowed to charge at his foe, he went on a rampage with a flurry of punches that put Muangthai down for the third and final time to secure a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
The odds of coming back from one knockdown are slim. The odds of coming back from two in quick succession are even slimmer. But “Hitman’s” heart and desire allowed him to flip the script in one of the most incredible turnarounds ever seen in The Home of Martial Arts.
He was also rewarded with a US$100,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for his colossal effort.
Harrison’s next move isn’t clear but one thing is for sure – whenever he’s booked to compete, fans know they’re in for a treat.
ONE’s 2022 Muay Thai Fight Of The Year Honorable Mentions
- Tawanchai PK.Saenchai vs. Petchmorakot Petchyindee
- Jonathan Haggerty vs. Mongkolpetch Petchyindee
- Eduard Folayang vs. John Wayne Parr
- Smilla Sundell vs. Jackie Buntan
