Saemapetch Fairtex has challenged Rittewada Petchyindee Academy to try and take his #1 contender spot in the bantamweight Muay Thai division. The Thai warriors face off in the main event of ONE: NEXTGEN II on Friday, 12 November.
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The Fairtex athlete, who had to earn his spot by defeating several big names in ONE Super Series over the past years, isn’t prepared to throw away what he has rightfully earned. Despite facing off against a compatriot, Saemapetch held nothing back.
“Rittewada, you want my ranking, don’t you? You want to be number one? I won’t let you have it. There is no way I will let go of it,” the Muay Thai star warned.
“I don’t want anyone to snatch [my ranking] away from me. I’ll try my best to keep it.”
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How crucial is it for Saemapetch Fairtex to win against Rittewada Petchyindee Academy?
Ever since he signed with the promotion’s striking division, the Chiang Mai native has made his intentions known to the world – he wants to be a ONE World Champion.
He defeated Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov and Ognjen Topic to earn his first shot at ONE gold. Unfortunately for him, things did not go as planned when he entered the Circle to compete for the strap. Saemapetch was knocked out by reigning bantamweight Muay Thai king Nong-O Gaiyanghadao at ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS in November 2019.
Much has changed since that defeat to the Evolve MMA star, though. The Muay Thai specialist secured a pivotal decision win over #2 contender Rodlek P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym last August. He then knocked out “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai inside the opening frame at ONE: FULL BLAST in May this year.
“This is a risky fight because Rittewada has just entered [ONE Super Series], and I am ranked number one. If I lose in this match, I’d lose my ranked position,” he said.
“Am I nervous? I am. If I lose, I won’t be able to get a rematch with Nong-O. I’ll need to climb up the rankings again. This match is very important. I need to win.”
What would a win against Rittewada mean for Saemapetch?
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A victory against Rittewada should get him closer towards his ambition of winning the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
And if Saemapetch finds himself in the driver’s seat once again, he knows he will be better prepared this time around.
“In my last match against Kulabdam, you could see how I had improved in terms of speed and power. I was able to knock him out,” he stated.
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“In this upcoming fight, I’ll try my best to do that again. Because if I win, I will be able to have a rematch with Nong-O. I want to have the chance to win the World Championship again.”
