Tawanchai Flattens Superbon In Rematch, Retains Featherweight Muay Thai World Title At ONE 170
Tawanchai PK Saenchai’s gallery of highlight-reel triumphs is stacked to the brim, but he might have delivered his very best to successfully defend the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship inside the sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
The divisional king separated top-ranked contender and current ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon from his senses in the main event of ONE 170, which aired live in Asia primetime on January 24.
After being tested to the fullest and earning a majority decision win during their instant classic at ONE Friday Fights 46 in 2023, Tawanchai knew he would have his hands full once again.
The challenger swung in with his usual swag, sticking to his world-class kicking game to remind Tawanchai what he was up against. On the other side, the PK Saenchai representative was more reserved.
The 25-year-old continued to stay patient against Superbon, feinting and baiting, looking to land the perfect counter. Those calculated ways have long been a hallmark of his game – and he showed why in the second round.
Having read the 34-year-old’s movements in the opening stanza, Tawanchai launched in with a salvo of shots and a pair of hooks that sent his foe crashing to the canvas for a knockdown.
With the challenger still on wobbly legs following the restart, the defending king unpacked another round of combinations to earn a standing eight-count. From there, a finish was written in the stars.
Tawanchai bit down on his mouthpiece and unloaded with a 10-piece combo to floor his rival for the third time, bagging the TKO victory via the three-knockdown rule at 1:10 of second frame.
The reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion improved to 134-31 in his decorated career and 10-1 in the world’s largest martial arts organization with the incredible win.
His sixth finish in ONE also earned him a US$50,000 performance bonus.
