Giorgio Petrosyan Will Not Underestimate Jo Nattawut In Bangkok

Giorgio Petrosyan defeats "Smokin" Jo Nattawut by decision at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR

Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan will rematch “Smokin” Jo Nattawut, at ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD, but the stakes are far higher the second time around.

When these two World Champion athletes clash next Friday, 16 August in Bangkok, Thailand, a place in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix final is at stake.

The Italian has a lot of respect for the opponent he will face again at the Impact Arena, but his defeat of the Thai last April is still fresh in his mind, and he is confident he will book his place at ONE: CENTURY to compete for the star-studded tournament’s grand prize of US$1 million.

???? THE REMATCH IS ON ????

???? THE REMATCH IS ON ????With US$1,000,000 on the line, Giorgio Petrosyan and Smokin' Jo Nattawut are set to battle on 16 August for a coveted spot in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix finals!????: Bangkok | 16 August | 5:30PM | ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD????: Get your tickets at ???? http://bit.ly/onegold19????: Check local listings for global TV broadcast????: Watch on the ONE Super App ???? http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp ????‍????: Prelims LIVE on Facebook | Prelims + 2 Main-Card bouts LIVE on Twitter

Posted by ONE Championship on Monday, August 5, 2019

“I know my opponent all too well, as I defeated him the first time around,” states “The Doctor.”

“Following our bout, he has clearly gotten better because [he has won] four more bouts. Then again, I don’t think he has gotten that much better in a year and a half.”

The Armenian-Italian technician will come into the match fresh off his win last month in a rematch against Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy

Petrosyan put the lessons from their first bout in May – which was ruled a no contest – to good use with a convincing performance that earned him the victory via unanimous decision.

He will take that approach into this second meeting with Nattawut, too. Even though the 33-year-old was dominant against the Bangkok Boxing representative at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR last April, he believes he can make some changes to deliver an even better performance.

“I changed my game plan [against Petchmorakot], and I was less aggressive. I played more of a waiting game, my legs did much of the work, and that’s how I won that bout,” he explains.

“Of course, when a rematch is coming up, my training regimen is just the same. Then again, I mix up my game plan, because I suppose my opponent will be mixing up his own game plan.

“My strategy will be different, and we will see in the ring what he is capable of.”

The Ferrari of kickboxing, Giorgio Petrosyan, and the monster truck of Muay Thai, Jo Nattawut, rematch on 16 August in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix semifinals! Predictions? ????

The Ferrari of kickboxing, Giorgio Petrosyan, and the monster truck of Muay Thai, Smokin' Jo Nattawut, rematch on 16 August in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix semifinals! Predictions? ???? ????: Bangkok | 16 August | 5:30PM | ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD????: Get your tickets at ???? http://bit.ly/onegold19????: Check local listings for global TV broadcast????: Watch on the ONE Super App ???? http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp ????‍????: Prelims LIVE on Facebook | Prelims + 2 Main-Card bouts LIVE on Twitter

Posted by ONE Championship on Sunday, August 4, 2019

Above everything else, “The Doctor” recognizes “Smokin Jo’s” punching power is as dangerous as ever.

Nattawut has won four straight contests against elite opposition in ONE Super Series, and two of those have come via KO. His heavy hands saw him score a highlight-reel finish of Yohann Fairtex Drai, and a third-round stoppage of Sasha Moisa in the World Grand Prix quarterfinals.

Petrosyan came out of their first contest unscathed thanks to his supreme defensive ability, but also the stifling offense he put on his foe. He knows he has to be careful, but he believes Nattawut will also have to be wary of the force in his fists and legs.

“In my first bout against “Smokin Jo,” I was very aggressive right off the bat. I was on the offensive for all three rounds, I tried to land hard shots, and that was my game plan,” he explains.

“I remember his leg work being very powerful. He is an all-around opponent, who is good at throwing punches, kicking and kneeing, so I will need to be alert to all of that.

“He is a very powerful opponent, and he is quick with his legs. I am also powerful, so I am not sure which of us is the most powerful. We are going to find out in the ring.”

Striking great Giorgio Petrosyan is now eyeing his greatest prize yet — winning the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix! First, he'll need to get through Smokin' Jo Nattawut on 16 August!

Striking great Giorgio Petrosyan is now eyeing his greatest prize yet — winning the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix! First, he'll need to get through Smokin' Jo Nattawut on 16 August!????: Bangkok | 16 August | 5:30PM | ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD????: Get your tickets at ???? http://bit.ly/onegold19????: Check local listings for global TV broadcast????: Watch on the ONE Super App ???? http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp ????‍????: Prelims LIVE on Facebook | Prelims + 2 Main-Card bouts LIVE on Twitter

Posted by ONE Championship on Thursday, August 8, 2019

“The Doctor” may be the favorite heading into this match-up, but this elite competition has already seen one of the hot favorites make an early exit, so he will not look past his upcoming opponent, or be distracted by what might come next in the biggest kickboxing tournament in history.

That should be good news for the fans, because a focused Petrosyan should bring magic to the Circle in Bangkok.

“Anything can happen in the ring, so the favorites may not always be a sure bet to win – just like we saw with Yodsanklai and Sana,” he says.

“I would rather focus on the bout than on the $1 million. I’m only focused on my opponent for the time being, and the winner will be heading to the finals.

“I know that he will have prepared very well for this. I too am preparing well for this bout, and I am sure it will be a war.”

More in News

Ferrari Fairtex defeats Antar Kacem ONE Friday Fights 47 21
Tang Kai Thanh Le ONE 166 27
Tye Ruotolo Magomed Abdulkadirov ONE Fight Night 16 71
Avatar PK Saenchai Kiamran Nabati ONE Friday Fights 55 31
Scenes from the MMA catchweight fight between Ayaka Miura and Rayane Bastos at ONE: DANGAL on 15 May
Avatar PK Saenchai vs. Kiamran Nabati ONE Friday Fights 55 Faceoffs
Kade Ruotolo Tommy Langaker ONE 165 41
Aung La N Sang Fan Rong ONE Fight Night 10 58
Reinier de Ridder Anatoly Malykhin ONE 166 14
Wei Rui
Ekaterina Vandaryeva Martyna Kierczynska ONE Fight Night 20 21
Avatar PK Saenchai Antar Kacem ONE Friday Fights 51 35