“I Will Give This Belt as a Present to Thai People” – Prajanchai Appreciates the Opportunity to Claim Two-Sport Supremacy Against Jonathan Di Bella

ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai is looking to add more gold to his collection in his upcoming outing, but he has to take it from one of the best fighters in kickboxing.

On Friday, April 5, the Thai striking veteran will challenge Canada’s Jonathan Di Bella for the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship in the co-main event of ONE Friday Fights 58: Superbon vs. Grigorian inside the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Prajanchai PK Saenchai’s pursuit of two-sport dominance

In his last outing, at ONE Friday Fights 46 in December, Prajanchai avenged his only loss in ONE by knocking out Joseph Lasiri to reclaim the strawweight Muay Thai crown. With that momentum on his side, the 29-year-old is ready to take the next step in his journey, and the significance of the opportunity – and the opponent he’ll face – is certainly not lost on him.

“When I became a Muay Thai champion, I set my next goal to become a kickboxing champion. When I knew I would have a chance to fight for kickboxing gold. I am so happy and honored to fight one of the best strikers in the world. I’m glad I’ll be fighting a fighter who’s better and more experienced than me. I am honored to be able to fight world-class kickboxer like him.” Prajanchai told ONE in an interview.

As dangerous as he is in Muay Thai, Prajanchai showed he can also be formidable in kickboxing when he defeated Algeria’s Akram Hamidi at ONE Friday Fights 34 last September. That win is counted among the four-fight streak of victories the PK Saeanchai Muaythaigym standout is currently riding, and achieving two-sport dominance would surely be the cherry on top of his blistering run of form.

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Prajanchai is looking for a transition to MMA

If he accomplishes that goal, Prajanchai thinks a transition to MMA might be next. He spent time training with ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey Musumeci in the last year, who also has hinted at a move to the all-encompassing sport, so they may do it together.

“Not everyone can become a champion. And not every champion can become a double champ. For me, becoming a double champ is a valuable thing in my life.​ Maybe if I become a double champ. I might consider moving to MMA or taking MMA classes with Mikey,” he said. Before that can become a reality, though, the Bangkok resident will have to put down the undefeated force of Di Bella.

The strawweight kickboxing king has overcome a dozen opponents, including two in ONE Championship, and he’ll be out to keep his record pristine on April 5. But Prajanchai is unfazed by his foe, as he knows who and what he’s fighting for. That pure drive is a difficult thing to overcome, so fans can expect him to put up a dangerous challenge to Di Bella inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

“It’s very important for me. First of all, I will give this belt as a present to Thai people all over the world – my family and my fans. And what motivates me the most is I want to use this belt as a big present to someone. But I can’t tell who he or she I’m giving this prize to,” he said.

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