Kongthoranee Aim To Knock Out ‘Legend’ Nong-O In Massive Flyweight Match At ONE Fight Night 28
Kongthoranee Sor Sommai is eager to prove he’s a finisher – and he plans to do it against a living legend.
This Friday in U.S. primetime, the 28-year-old will square off with former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama in a pivotal flyweight contest at ONE Fight Night 28: Prajanchai vs. Barboza on Prime Video, which airs live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
It’s a massive opportunity for Kongthoranee to face a man he’s been watching since adolescence – an undeniable all-time great who held and defended the bantamweight Muay Thai belt seven times before losing it in 2023.
Since then, Nong-O has hit a rough patch against elite opposition but now hopes to find new life at flyweight.
Kongthoranee has loads of respect for the 38-year-old veteran and believes he still has plenty left in the tank. He told onefc.com:
“When I found out I was going to fight Nong-O, a former World Champion, I was excited because I didn’t expect to face him. Before, he was in the bantamweight division. But when he moved down to flyweight, I was so happy to have the chance to fight with a legend.
“I think Nong-O’s decline is because he fought bigger fighters than him. That’s probably why he moved down to this division. Even though he dropped down, I believe he can still punch and kick as hard as ever.”
Despite Nong-O’s lengthy list of accomplishments, Kongthoranee might be the favorite in this matchup.
A true rising star, he’s put together a 10-2 record in ONE, showcasing his top-flight technical prowess and well-rounded striking game to establish himself as the #4-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender.
Well aware of the stakes in this showdown, the Sor Sommai product has done his homework on Nong-O and has identified his primary advantages:
“Nong-O’s strength is his aggressive kicking style, but now, I’ve studied him very well. Everything about his game is in my head.
“My advantage, besides being younger, is probably my speed.”
While Kongthoranee has lost just two times in ONE and consistently impresses fans with his dynamic style of striking, he’s only scored three finishes in the organization.
He’s listened to criticisms from both fans and ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who have questioned his ability to deliver the knockout blow.
According to Kongthoranee, he’ll erase any doubts that he’s a finisher at ONE Fight Night 28:
“Since Boss Chatri said that I don’t have a deathblow to finish my opponent off, or I don’t have the mindset to finish the fight, I will prove in this fight that I can be a finisher, too.”
Kongthoranee Takes Motivation From His Fans
If he’s able to get past Nong-O Hama on February 7, Kongthoranee Sor Sommai will find himself on a three-fight winning streak, firmly entrenched in the flyweight Muay Thai division’s top five, and well on his way to global stardom.
He’s already seen his popularity grow immensely in Thailand since joining ONE. It’s the positive reception from his fans, he said, that pushes him to improve:
“I have a bigger fan base now. No matter where I go, people ask me to take a selfie. It makes me happy. They are the positive force that keeps me motivated to train hard to be a better fighter.”
Of course, like any other ONE superstar, Kongthoranee has his sights set on 26 pounds of World Championship gold. And with the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title currently sitting vacant, he knows the belt could soon be his for the taking.
Beyond the fans, Kongthoranee is taking inspiration from his friend Nabil Anane, who recently knocked out Nico Carrillo to claim the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.
He added:
“Having the flyweight title vacated was a big motivation for me. I want to park in this empty parking lot, especially after I saw Nabil win the interim belt. I was happy for him and want to do the same.”
