‘Win The Match Beautifully’ – Yuan Pengjie Targets Main Roster Contract Against Kongthoranee At The Inner Circle 32
Chinese striking star Yuan Pengjie has already showcased flashes of absolute brilliance on the global stage, but those early victories were merely a teaser of his true potential.
The Sitsongpeenong product faces his stiffest test yet when he squares off against former three-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Kongthoranee Sor Sommai. This massive flyweight kickboxing co-main event goes down at The Inner Circle 32 on Friday, September 25, broadcasting live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium exclusively for subscribers at live.onefc.com.
Backed by a staggering 40-4 professional record, the 23-year-old wasted no time validating his elite pedigree under the ONE Championship banner. Dominant wins over WMC World Champion Lamnamoonlek Torfunfarm and hard-hitting veteran Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi have swiftly established him as one of the division’s most compelling rising forces.
Still, Yuan has absolutely no intention of resting on those early laurels. Against a fighter of Kongthoranee’s elite caliber, he knows the margin for error narrows considerably.
He told onefc.com:
“I’m adding weight training and more footwork training. I’m putting more effort into power training and also focusing more on my footwork to become more powerful.”
His opponent, Kongthoranee, arrives with lofty credentials, having previously stood on the cusp of World Title contention in ONE’s flyweight Muay Thai ranks before making his highly anticipated kickboxing transition.
However, that decorated resume holds no sway over Yuan, who has systematically built a fighting identity that forces seasoned veterans into complex problems they have never encountered before.
The flyweight standout explained:
“I feel that I am performing at my best. I feel that in these two fights, my opponent got to fight [my style] of kickboxing.
“Based on my previous fights, other fighters cannot easily get used to the way I control the speed and my own rhythm. So I feel that this time, my opponent also cannot easily get used to my style.”
Kongthoranee represents a significant step up in competition — an evasive, highly durable 29-year-old who has been through absolute wars at the highest levels of the sport.
Yuan remains completely unrattled, backing his most lethal weapons to produce the decisive result he is aggressively chasing.
The Jiangxi native pointed out:
“I feel my opponent has a strong body. He is very tough and strong, specifically highlighting the spinning back fist and low kicks as dangerous weapons I need to be careful of.
“My strength is my punches. I feel I am capable of getting a knockout using my punches and that I am good at that.”
Yuan Pengjie Is Chasing A Contract, Gold, And A Legacy
Having watched his peers earn life-changing US$100,000 contracts to the global roster, Yuan Pengjie firmly believes his time has finally arrived. An impressive victory over a name like Kongthoranee Sor Sommai would fast-track him directly into that lucrative conversation.
The contract, however, is merely the first step. Yuan has already set his long-term sights on undisputed ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella, with a fight against the Italian-Canadian ace sitting firmly at the top of his wish list.
He said:
“My goal is to win the match beautifully and get the contract. I want to win the gold belt. Getting the contract is the first step toward that title.
“If I win this fight, I want to fight Di Bella. Di Bella is at the top, so I want to challenge him next.”
But Yuan’s ambition runs far deeper than competitive glory alone. At just 23 years old, he already acknowledges the profound responsibility he carries as a source of inspiration for younger athletes who dream of the exact same opportunity.
A lot of eyes are on him, and he steps into the Lumpinee Stadium ring this Friday driven by a pure motivation that places legacy and community above all else.
He offered:
“I care more about the honor and legacy than just the money. I want to build a legacy with the title and be remembered. Getting the contract is like getting the key to open the door to the championship.
“I feel that back home, a lot of fighters from the same gym are rooting for me and cheering for me. I feel this is a great opportunity. If I get the bonus, I will use it to invest in the gym and help support the other fighters who are cheering for me.”
