“A Very, Very Close Fight” – Chatri Sityodtong Offers Thoughts on Tawanchai vs. Jo Nattawut II at ONE 167

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong enjoyed the exciting card that was featured at the promotion’s latest event this past weekend, especially the main event.

ONE 167 saw a rematch between Tawanchai PK Saenchai and “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut go down inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena on Friday, June 7, and the hype in the leadup proved to be justified.

Controversial decision sparks calls for a rematch

The striking pair ran it back for Tawanchai’s ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title, and, like their kickboxing affair last October, fans were treated to a nailbiting battle that left many debating the end result, which saw the World Champion retaining his gold by a close majority decision.

“Smokin” Jo again proved to be a worthy challenger as he pushed his Thai compatriot to the limit, and Sityodtong aligned himself with the fans who believed he deserved the win during the post-event press conference.

“I thought Jo Natatwut won. It was a very close fight, very close. I thought Jo did enough to win,” he said. “For me, it would have gone to damage, and Tawanchai had more damage on him than Jo did. But, I want to do a rematch in Atlanta. That’s the home of where Jo Nattawut is. That would be amazing.”

Potential trilogy bout for Jo Nattawut in Atlanta remains uncertain

After competing in Thailand twice already, Nattawut would certainly welcome the idea of having a trilogy bout in his adoptive home of Atlanta, Georgia when ONE Championship brings ONE 170 there in November. However, the ONE boss clarified that though he’s confident their next meeting will be for the featherweight Muay Thai strap again, nothing is set in stone regarding when it will happen.

He also stressed that he respected the judge’s decision about the ONE 167 headliner, which took place early Saturday morning Thailand time.“I’m seeing the rematch happening this year, but I’m not sure if it’s happening in America. And I want to address what I said previously, even though I believed that Jo won, I’m not the judge. Fans in America are watching this fight right now and have taken an interest in this fight too,” he said.

He further added “I gave 52 percent for Jo and 48 percent for Tawanchai. But once again, this is my opinion. I’m not the judge. This is a very, very close fight. That is my opinion. [The rematch] will be in Muay Thai like this morning and there will be a belt in line, too.”