‘I’m Very Ready’ – Yod-IQ Reflects On Revenge KO, Six-Figure Contract At ONE Friday Fights 137
Thai slugger Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri was locked in on his mission at ONE Friday Fights 137 — beat Alexey Balyko and erase the sting of their first meeting. And he couldn’t have written the script any better.
The 23-year-old sensation caught the Russian stalwart with a thunderous high right kick that forced an immediate stoppage at just 2:06 into the opening round of their featherweight Muay Thai rematch inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, December 19.
To make his victory sweeter, Yod-IQ didn’t just settle an old score. It also earned him a life-changing US$100,000 contract to compete on the main roster of the world’s largest martial arts organization.
The highlight-reel victory also improved his slate to 126-36 while extending his winning streak to nine. More importantly, it validated the countless hours spent perfecting that exact combination alongside some of Thailand’s finest.
The PK Saenchai Muaythaigym athlete shared:
“That neck kick, I drilled it with Ajarn Chanwit, Sia Khaek, and Tawanchai [PK Saenchai] every single day. Morning and evening, we trained like this until it became instinct.
“Even though I didn’t know when I’d get the timing to kick, we had to prepare it beforehand. When the real moment came, it came out naturally. I prayed in my heart that he wouldn’t get up because I really wanted to finish the fight.”
That prayer was certainly answered inside the iconic venue as Balyko’s lights were shut off instantly.
While the triumph was sweet, the news that followed — Circleside color commentator Mitch Chilson announcing that ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong had awarded him the coveted six-figure contract — was far more special.
Yod-IQ reflected:
“The moment they announced I got the contract, I screamed because, as I said, at first I didn’t dare to hope. I didn’t think the boss would surprise me like this.
“I’m very ready. I’ve been ready to seize this opportunity for a long time, and I have to thank all the fans who were an important part in helping to voice their support until I received this contract.”
Yod-IQ Talks Path To Bantamweight Crown
With his place on ONE Championship’s global roster secured, Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri has his eyes locked on the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title, currently in possession of Algerian-Thai superstar Nabil Anane.
Training alongside featherweight king Tawanchai has provided invaluable insight into what’s required to reach the World Championship level, and it has sharpened his hunger to hoist 26 pounds of gold on the global stage.
That said, he’s established clear boundaries about how he’ll pursue that dream:
“I only want to face foreign fighters. I don’t want to face Thai fighters. My ultimate goal is to become the World Champion at 145 pounds.”
Having grinded his way through 12 tough assignments on ONE Friday Fights — emerging victorious in 11 of them — Yod-IQ is in no rush to make a run to the top, though.
The 23-year-old is happy to employ a patient and strategic build-up in his dream to capture the sport’s most coveted prize, but he does have eyes on two dream fights in the coming months.
He concluded:
“Right now, I want to focus on one fight at a time and continuously develop myself because in the major promotion, there are only skilled fighters. The opponents I’m especially watching are old rivals like Abdulla Dayakaev and Jonathan Haggerty.”
Either matchup would provide fascinating stylistic tests while building the resume necessary to challenge for ONE gold.
For now, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym warrior can enjoy the satisfaction of revenge secured, a life-changing contract earned, and the knowledge that his championship dream has moved from distant hope to a realistic possibility.
The high kick that ended Balyko’s night didn’t just earn him redemption — it launched Yod-IQ toward everything he’s been working for his entire career.
