ONE Muay Thai Featherweight World Champion, Tawanchai Pk Saenchai, is ready to return to the ring after a significant break since his impressive victory over Superbon Singha Mawynn at ONE Friday Fights 46  in December 2023. Now, he’ll be facing his old rival, Jo Nuttawut, in a rematch inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, on Friday 7th. The first encounter between the two saw the 25-year-old scoring a win via unanimous decision.

Notably, Tawanchai’s fight with Superbon, in which he defended his world title for the second time, garnered the most attention and controversy. Critics still maintain that Tawanchai PK Saenchai only won by a narrow unanimous decision, a claim the champion himself disputes. In a recent interview with EssentiallySports, the Pattaya City native addressed the possibility of a rematch with Superbon.

Tawanchai is confident about a victory against Superbon

ONE Friday Fight 46’s main event between Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Superbon Singha Mawynn was a controversial one, with many critics favoring Superbon. However, the judges ultimately awarded the victory to Tawanchai PK Saenchai, defying pre-fight predictions. Tawanchai himself defended the judge’s call in a recent exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, hosted by Raj Sarkar. During the interview, Sarkar inquired about a potential rematch with Superbon, and Tawanchai replied positively.

The 25-year-old confidently addressed the criticism, denying any suggestion that he had doubted his abilities. He stated, “Well, I didn’t really hear about the criticism saying Superbon might win before going into the ring. But I was confident in myself, and I still am.” He then opened the door for a rematch, saying, “If there should be a rematch, then it could be anytime. I’m ready, I believe.”

However, this isn’t the first time the Thai Champ has expressed his interest in a rematch with Superbon. Immediately following their controversial fight at ONE Friday Fights 46, Tawanchai had challenged his opponent for a rematch in a post-fight interview, even specifying his preferred number of rounds for the second encounter.

Thai Champ hinted at a rematch after a battle with Superbon

Unlike most fighters who crave new challenges after a bout, Tawanchai PK Saenchai had remained determined to secure a rematch with Superbon Singha Mawynn. This resolve stemmed from the criticism he faced regarding his caliber following his controversial decision victory at ONE Friday Fights 46 in December 2023. In that fight, he successfully defended his world title for the second time. However, the fight with Superbon was no easy feat for Tawanchai PK Saenchai, proving to be his toughest challenge yet.

Despite the difficulty, the Pattaya City native expressed his willingness for a rematch. In an interview last year at Lumpinee Stadium, the 25-year-old said, “I would rate his performance at 10 and wouldn’t mind a rematch. If there was a rematch, that would be fun.” This confidence likely stems from his relentless work ethic, which has fueled his current seven-fight winning streak. Whether a rematch between Superbon and Tawanchai materializes remains to be seen, and the decision ultimately lies with ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

He’ll now face a new challenge in Jo Nattawut at ONE 167. However, maintaining his winning streak won’t be a walk in the park, as Jo Nattawut is also on winning streaks, as evidenced by his recent statistics. Do you think the Thai fighter will score a victory on Friday? Drop your predictions in the comments below.