Smokin’ Jo Books GP Alternate Spot By Knocking Out Yurik Davtyan
Smokin’ Jo Nattawut promised ONE Super Series fans an exciting battle at ONE: NEXTGEN II, and that was certainly the case when he entered the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The Thai dynamo used his trademark power and striking volume to knock out Yurik “Mee Khao Jomhot” Davtyan in the first round of their ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix alternate bout, which aired on Friday, 12 November.
Davtyan controlled the early exchange with his forward pressure and a two-punch combination. But once Smokin’ Jo discovered his range, he countered every hit “Mee Khao Jomhot” unloaded. He consistently slowed down his rival’s movement with chopping lead leg kicks and four-punch combinations, all of which landed on the 28-year-old’s head and abdominal section.
The Thai Top Team standout’s heavy strikes gradually wore Davtyan down, and midway through the stanza, he connected with another four-punch combo that stung his foe. From there, he targeted his opponent’s temple, uncorking wild overhand lefts and rights in search of that highlight-reel knockout.
Davtyan didn’t back down, though. He continued to fend off his opposite number’s haymakers with more forward pressure and jab-cross combinations. However, his search to break through Smokin’ Jo’s guard ultimately proved to be his undoing.
“Mee Khao Jomhot” pushed his way into his opponent’s range and loaded up his right hand, but he let his left hand drop.
That gave Smokin’ Jo enough room to connect with a lead jab and a thumping overhand right, which instantly floored the Armenian-Russian athlete. Davtyan failed to answer referee Justin Brown’s eight count, giving his Thai rival the knockout victory at 2:50 of the opening frame.
The win bumped Smokin’ Jo’s record to 71-8-2 and locked his spot as an alternate in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix, which means the Thai striking ace will enter the semifinal round if any of the final four participants are forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Read more: ONE: NEXTGEN II – Full Results And Highlights For Every Fight
