‘I’m Not Going Down Easy’ – Thongpoon Vows To Derail Ryujin Nasukawa’s Rise at The Inner Circle 23
Thongpoon PK Saenchai has built his reputation on charging headfirst into the fire, and his next assignment might just be the most perilous of his career yet.
He returns to action against highly touted Japanese debutant and ISKA World Champion Ryujin “Shindo” Nasukawa in a high-stakes strawweight kickboxing showdown at The Inner Circle 23. The explosive card streams live in Asia primetime on Friday, July 24, from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, available to subscribers at live.onefc.com.
The heavy-handed Thai striker enters this bout looking to snap a frustrating two-fight skid, the most recent of which came during his kickboxing debut against former ONE World Title challenger “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian at ONE Friday Fights 137.
Despite coming up short against the lightning-fast Chinese star, the PK Saenchai representative walked away from the unfamiliar ruleset genuinely energized rather than discouraged. In fact, his profound fondness for the sport only grew stronger the more he reflected on how that 15-minute battle unfolded.
The Thai said:
“It was a brand-new and exciting experience for me. From there, I realized I really love kickboxing. I had a blast doing it. I think I put on a great and exciting fight.
“I just lacked a bit of experience and focus during the action, which resulted in me taking way too much damage. Overall though, for my first-ever kickboxing match, I was really happy with how it went.”
That gritty experience, as it turns out, has doubled as invaluable homework heading into another grueling matchup in the discipline.
Excitement continues to build globally around Nasukawa’s long-awaited arrival in ONE Championship, and Thongpoon is no exception when it comes to appreciating the sheer magnitude of the opportunity standing in front of him. He sees real, tangible value in the experience regardless of how the chaotic clash unfolds.
He shared:
“When I first found out I’d be fighting him, I was super excited because he’s a huge star. He’s sharp and fast. I’m thrilled and honored to share the ring with him. Win or lose, it’s a great opportunity to learn from a top-tier fighter.
“Coming back for another kickboxing fight, I just want to keep learning and getting better. It suits my heavy-punching style really well. I don’t need to worry as much about the clinch work or Muay Thai tactics.”
Genuine excitement for the opportunity has certainly not stopped him from noticing the pre-fight chatter circulating across social media.
Plenty of fans have already prematurely written off his chances against the 20-year-old prodigy, who is highly motivated to step out of his legendary elder brother Tenshin Nasukawa’s shadow and forge a legacy of his own on the global stage.
The Thai veteran has taken note of every single word. That said, he refuses to let outside noise affect his mindset, choosing instead to flip the narrative entirely in his own favor.
Thongpoon told onefc.com:
“I read through the comments online. People were saying there’s no way I can stand a chance, throwing all kinds of doubts my way. Still, I didn’t feel down about it at all.
“It’s completely normal that people don’t believe in me right now, especially since my recent performances have dropped off. There’s no negative side to it. It only serves as motivation to push myself harder. I just use it as fuel.”
A Blueprint Built On Absolute Toughness
That emotional fuel has clearly translated into rigorous, obsessive preparation. Ahead of a matchup against a dynamic fighter of Ryujin Nasukawa’s caliber, Thongpoon PK Saenchai has made sure to leave no tactical detail unexamined inside the gym.
His scouting report on the Japanese striker reveals exactly how seriously he is treating the looming assignment. However, he has carefully weighed his foe’s elite strengths against his own devastating weapons, and he clearly sees a path to create an absolute uproar at The Inner Circle 23.
Thongpoon dissected:
“He’s incredibly fast, has classic kickboxing footwork, great boxing combinations, and plenty of tricks up his sleeve. His main weapon is definitely his hands. He uses clever feints and tricks to lure you, then slips and counters.
“As for my advantages, I think I have the toughness and ring experience. When I get hit, I know I can take it. But I’m curious to see how he reacts when he gets hit cleanly. That might be where I have the upper hand.”
With a two-fight skid behind him and another daunting kickboxing test waiting in the wings, Thongpoon views this matchup as exactly the kind of golden opportunity that could permanently turn his fortunes around in an instant.
He is not shying away from what a violent victory here would ultimately mean — both for his own internal confidence and for everyone who has already counted him out.
He concluded:
“If I can beat him, it’ll be a huge comeback for me. It’ll boost my confidence and get me back on track. To all the critics saying I don’t stand a chance or that I’m too slow – thank you for those comments.
“A quick message for Ryujin: If you think you’re going to use me as a stepping stone, think again. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. I’m definitely not going down easy.”
