‘A Great Show’ – Felipe Lobo And Saemapetch Break Down Muay Thai Rematch At ONE Fight Night 28
At ONE Fight Night 28: Prajanchai vs. Barboza on Prime Video, fan-favorite strikers Felipe “Demolition Man” Lobo and Saemapetch Fairtex will throw down in a bantamweight Muay Thai bout that’s steeped in drama.
Set to air live in U.S. primetime this Friday, February 7, that clash will be a rematch of the pair’s wild April 2023 fight, which saw Lobo score a dramatic come-from-behind knockout.
If their first encounter was any indication, fans can look forward to a frantic firefight.
Before the action gets underway at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, both athletes spoke to onefc.com about this highly anticipated rematch.
Lobo: ‘I Will Win The Fight By Knockout Again’
In their first fight, Lobo seemed well on his way to losing a decision after suffering a knockdown in the second round and largely finding himself on the receiving end of the Thai’s heavy hands and relentless aggression.
However, he would dig deep in the third to roar back with big punches of his own, scoring the highlight-reel finish in the waning seconds.
The Brazilian knows that Saemapetch has a history of winning rematches after losing the first bout, but he’s motivated to prove himself as the superior striker in this rivalry:
“Saemapetch Fairtex is a very good fighter when it comes to rematches. In all the rematches he has had in his career, he has always come out stronger and more motivated. But that doesn’t change anything for me. I’m also hungry for the fight. I’m hungry, and I want to win, too. So I think it’s going to be a night where the fans are going to see a great show.”
Although Saemapetch has won rematches in ONE against Mohamed Younes Rabah and Rittewada Petchyindee, Lobo is confident that he owns the right style to defeat the Thai every time they share the ring.
“Demolition Man” said his opponent is a one-track fighter who always marches forward behind wild punching combinations. On the other hand, he sees himself as a more complete and dynamic striker:
“Saemapetch’s style is a little different from mine. He likes to throw punches and move forward, while I have a more versatile game. I like to work on dodging, moving around a lot, and kicking. I like to utilize a more intelligent fighting style, sometimes more defensive, but when I need to attack, I attack.”
Indeed, Lobo displayed a more patient counter-striking approach in his first fight with Saemapetch – until he turned up the pace and aggression to a fever pitch in the final frame.
The 31-year-old expects another barnburner at ONE Fight Night 28. He knows Saemapetch has revenge on his mind but insisted the outcome will be the same:
“I think this fight will be very aggressive. I believe Saemapetch will go all out to get the win, and I will also go into the ring hungry for this win. So, this fight will be very aggressive. I believe I will win the fight by knockout again.”
Saemapetch: ‘This Fight Will Be Different’
While Felipe Lobo might be envisioning another knockout win, Saemapetch Fairtex has other plans.
It’s no surprise that the 30-year-old Thai, who has long been a mainstay of the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s upper echelon, expects to turn the tables on February 7:
“I think this fight will be different from the first fight against Felipe. This time, I will be the one to press and corner him.”
Saemapetch admits that once the Brazilian lets his hands fly, he’s a supremely dangerous fighter.
However, the Fairtex Training Center representative plans to showcase his full arsenal of Muay Thai weaponry in the rematch and catch Lobo off-guard with something different than his trademark punches:
“The thing that I have to be most careful of is his punching, because when he throws a punch, he doesn’t just throw it once, but it comes out in full combination. You have to find a way to block really well.
“As for me, I have prepared all the weapons – punches, kicks, knees, and elbows to bring to this fight. I didn’t practice with the intention of just going to fight. I come with a full set of Muay Thai weapons because if there’s an opening, I can pick the right weapon to attack him immediately.”
Saemapetch finds confidence in the fact that he’s already won a pair of high-stakes rematches in ONE. And while he’s known as an ultra-aggressive brawler, he’s also a true veteran of the game with elite fight IQ.
He said that he’s made the proper adjustments to earn his revenge against Lobo – just like he did against Younes Rabah and Rittewada:
“I am very motivated to fight in the rematch because I already know his flaws from the first time I lost to him. In our second fight, I know what style I should use to fight against him and what kind of attacks I should use.
“In the past, I have lost and always come back to win in the rematch, both against Rittewada and Mohamed. So this time, I hope to come back to get my revenge and defeat Felipe, as well.”
