“Definitely Not an Easy Fight” – Sitthichai Breaks Down Upcoming Opponent Masaaki Noiri

Thai fan-favorite Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong is ready to spoil the ONE debut of decorated Japanese kickboxing star Masaaki Noiri.

The pair are set to throw down live in U.S. primetime on June 7 at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Prime Video in a featherweight kickboxing bout designed to produce action.

That battle will take place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong talks about Masaaki Noiri’s strengths and weaknesses

A veteran of well over 150 professional Muay Thai and kickboxing fights, Sitthichai knows his foe – a former two-division K-1 World Champion – presents a stiff test.

He spoke about the weapons Noiri will bring to the Circle, “Masaaki is one of the best kickboxers in the world. His style is pure kickboxing. His strengths are his punches and kicks. He has a dangerous high kick. He is good both offensively and defensively. This is definitely not an easy fight for me – but I’m a legend too.”

Despite his opponent’s elite talent and well-rounded kickboxing game, the Thai sees a clear path to victory, “I think his weakness is he tends to absorb attacks rather than defend them because he wants to counter his opponents. So he doesn’t like to defend himself much. I will bring some of my heavy weapons to use with him in the ring.” 

Indeed, Noiri is a ruthless counter-striker, but Sitthichai has carefully studied his game and has prepared a detailed game plan.

The Japanese fighter is not good with southpaws

“Killer Kid” says he looked at a pair of losses Noiri suffered against retired Thai striker Kaew Fairtex. Like Sitthichai, Kaew was a hard-hitting southpaw, employing typical southpaw weapons like the left kick and straight left hand.

Sitthichai plans to follow that same approach at ONE 167 and – above all else – put on a thrilling performance.

He added, “I learned from the two fights he lost to Kaew Fairtex that he’s not good at fighting with southpaws, so I studied Kaew to learn how to fight with him. He is not good at defending himself from left kicks, so you can expect a lot of them from me. 

“I can’t tell you how this fight will end. It depends on what happens in the ring, but I will do my best to entertain our fans.”