Tawanchai PK Saenchai Knocks Out Jamal Yusupov In 49 Seconds, Retains ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title

Tawanchai PK Saenchai successfully defended his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title for the first time on Friday night, but the victory was even more rewarding because it happened in front of his compatriots at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Thai superstar defeated #2-ranked contender Jamal “Yeniceri” Yusupov via first-round TKO in the ONE Fight Night 7 co-main event on February 24, marking a glorious return to the arena where he built his name.

From the opening bell, Tawanchai stayed out of Yusupov’s punching range, bounding in and out with push kicks. When the Turkish veteran did manage to get close, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym representative fired his low kicks into his rival’s thigh.

In fact, it only took three of them to stop the challenger in his tracks. The final low kick left Yusupov limping in pain, causing referee Olivier Coste to stop the contest at the 49-second mark.

The victory nudged Tawanchai’s already impressive striking record to 129-31-2, kept him at the top of ONE Championship’s featherweight Muay Thai division, and earned him a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

“I feel very happy,” an emotional Tawanchai said in his post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson. “I am speechless.”