Prajanchai Puts On Masterclass To Retain Strawweight Muay Thai World Title At ONE Fight Night 28
If anyone forgot why only elite martial artists can hold a ONE Championship World Title, then Prajanchai PK Saenchai was quick to remind them.
The two-sport king meticulously picked apart his challenger “El Jefe” Ellis Badr Barboza in their ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title showdown at ONE Fight Night 28 to retain his 26-pound gold strap on Friday, February 7.
Although Prajanchai finished “El Jefe” by TKO at the 1:55 mark of round four in the main event, which aired live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, he made the finish a slow and painful one.
It all began in round one, where the Thai legend-in-the-making poked and probed Barboza with jabs. He waited and watched for a reaction, baiting the Englishman into what would turn out to be a dangerous game of catch and counter.
Barboza, showing grit, was happy to stand and trade punches with Prajanchai. But as the fight progressed into round two, the Thai’s confidence overshadowed his challenger’s heart.
The defending ONE World Champion tagged “El Jefe” with laser-like accuracy. Elbow after elbow, punch after punch, Prajanchai poured on the pressure. And by the end of round three, Barboza looked just like a man should after spending nine minutes in the ring with someone who has nearly 400 fights – battered.
But the defining moment for Prajanchai came in round four when, with a simple bend of the arm and a single step forward, he damaged Barboza’s eye with another elbow.
Referee Olivier Coste paused the action to have the ringside doctor inspect the wound and, Prajanchai, foreseeing a stoppage win, launched himself onto the ring’s turnbuckle. There, he eagerly awaited the official decision while teasing cheers from the sold-out crowd.
Heeding the doctor’s advice, Coste waved off the bout, giving Prajanchai the 344th win of his career. The 30-year-old also earned a US$100,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, and he will return to PK Saenchai Muaythaigym with both the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Titles.
