‘You Can’t Run From Me Now’ – Liu Mengyang Promises Fireworks Against Tawanchai At ONE Friday Fights 137
Chinese kickboxing sensation Liu Mengyang has waited long enough for his date with destiny.
The 22-year-old will face reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai in a highly anticipated featherweight kickboxing showdown that headlines ONE Friday Fights 137: Tawanchai vs. Liu on Friday, December 19, airing live in Asia primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The matchup nearly happened three months ago. Liu and Tawanchai were originally scheduled to clash at ONE Friday Fights 126, but the Thai was forced to withdraw due to injury, leaving the Chinese striker disappointed but understanding of the circumstances.
Speaking to onefc.com ahead of their rescheduled main event clash, Liu reflected on his reaction when the original fight fell through.
He said:
“I understand that anything can happen during a training camp. Last time I dropped some words about him, it was right after I heard he withdrew from the fight and just a few days before my fight with Shadow [Singha Mawynn]. But I wasn’t as mad as I sounded.”
Liu channeled his frustration into a dominant performance against top Thai contender Shadow in September, earning a decisive victory that not only returned him to the win column after a razor-close split-decision loss to Mohammad Siasarani in April, but also kept his name at the forefront of the conversation.
When ONE finally confirmed the rescheduled bout with Tawanchai for December 19, Liu’s excitement was palpable. The opportunity to face the reigning Muay Thai king in a kickboxing matchup represented the kind of career-defining moment that young fighters dream about.
The Chinese striker recalled his reaction upon hearing the news:
“When I received the message, I was so happy because I needed this fight. I was thinking like, ‘finally, you can’t run from me now.’ I was so excited.”
With a career record of 34-7 including two victories in ONE Championship, Liu has proven his credentials against elite competition. His promotional debut saw him shock Masaaki Noiri with a unanimous decision victory, immediately establishing himself as a legitimate threat in the featherweight kickboxing division.
Known for his punching superiority and composure under pressure, Liu brings a stylistic matchup that should provide fascinating contrasts to Tawanchai’s Muay Thai-based approach.
The 26-year-old Thai carries a 10-2 promotional record with an astonishing 134 career victories, though his most recent kickboxing outing resulted in a third-round TKO loss to Noiri, who subsequently captured the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title.
Despite facing one of the sport’s most accomplished World Champions, Liu maintains deep respect for his opponent’s abilities and the spectacle their clash promises to deliver.
The kickboxer said:
“Tawanchai is a good opponent, a very challenging one. It’s going to be a very technical fight, but most importantly, he is a clean hitter.
“He delivers knockouts with style. So we are going to bring the fans the most entertaining fight of the night. That’s all I care about.”
Liu Confident In Advantages Over Tawanchai
Liu Mengyang has studied Tawanchai PK Saenchai extensively, and while he acknowledges the Thai’s formidable abilities, he believes he holds crucial advantages that will prove decisive on December 19.
Tawanchai’s reputation as a devastating kicker who has flatlined numerous opponents with his powerful leg strikes is well-established. His fight IQ and technical prowess have made him one of the most dangerous strikers in ONE as well.
However, Liu remains unfazed by his rival’s most feared weapon. Speaking about his tactical assessment of the matchup, he offered a confident breakdown of his opponent.
Liu explained:
“He starts fast and hits hard. I can’t see a clear weakness in him, to be honest. Tawanchai’s biggest weapon is his kicks, but they’re not a threat to me.
“I hold advantages from all angles against him, mentally and physically. My boxing and kickboxing experience are both above his.”
The claim that Tawanchai’s devastating kicks pose no threat is a bold statement, particularly given his track record of finishing opponents with those very strikes. But Liu’s confidence stems from his extensive kickboxing background and belief that his superior boxing will create problems that the Muay Thai specialist hasn’t faced before.
As the year’s final ONE event approaches, Liu understands the magnitude of the opportunity before him. A victory over Tawanchai in a kickboxing bout would thrust him into World Title contention and establish him as one of the division’s premier talents.
The Chinese athlete made his prediction for how the fight will unfold, and it’s as bold as his assessment of Tawanchai’s kicks.
Liu declared:
“I believe we are both trying to prove something in this fight. Someone is going to sleep on the canvas, but it won’t be me. If I defeat Tawanchai, it might be the turning point of my career.”
