ONE Championship was back with the ninth edition of Friday Fights this week. The coveted Lumpini Stadium appeared fully decorated with fight fans. The event had already showcased a lot of enthralling bouts, which ended with vicious knockouts. Even the coveted Muay Thai legend, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, scored a win in front of his home crowd on his return bout after a year-long break. Evidently, ONE Championship fans all over the world were getting to see some awesome action. But, the coveted main event of the night featuring a Lightweight Muay Thai World championship between the Surinamese Regian “The Immortal” Eersel and the homeboy, Sinsamut Klinmee, was yet to feature.
Both fighters walked out to their entrances themes and took the ring of Lumpini Stadium. The pre-bout Muay Thai ceremony commenced with the known music playing and fighters returning to the center after touching and bowing to the corners of the ring.
Sinsamut Klinmee and Regian Eersel maintained their composure in the initial rounds
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Both fighters started off cautiously, but Sinsamut started off attacking with a leg kick. Both fighters maintained their composure, avoiding unnecessary strikes. Eersel trusted his kicks more, whereas Sinsamut appeared to rely on hand strikes primarily. ‘The Surinamese’ landed a couple of good straights pressurizing Sinsamut to the ropes. But, ‘The Thai’ returned strongly. Sinsamut then went on the attack with a leg kick and a straight left. Eersel pressurized Sinsamut to the corner, but the two went to the ground as the bell signaled the end of the first round.
The second round also showcased a cautious start from both fighters. But this time it was Eersel who started off with a mid-section kick. The crowd cheered every significant strike from the fighters. After a few strikes from Sinsamut, the fighters went into a clinch. After getting separated, both landed a kick each. Sinsamut landed 3 good hand strikes.
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The bout looked pretty evenly matched till now. Eersel fired a kick and a left which landed but didn’t cause pretty much damage. However, Sinsamut ended the second round with a leg kick, which was acknowledged by Eersel himself.
The so-called championship rounds proved to be the decider
At the start of the third round, Sinsamut looked a bit off-color. He tried to maintain the distance with his forward leg kicks. But Ersel also returned one for absorbing one. Sinsamut landed another kick to the thigh of Ersel. The fighters then got into a clinch and were separated by the referee. Both fighters looked a bit worn out by this time. But Ersel landed a superb knee and got into a clinch as the round ended.
The fourth round was also started watchfully by the fighters. Sinsamut went for a right hook but was defended by Ersel. He also landed a pair of kicks after that. But Ersel pressurized him to a corner and landed a furious body shot to the belly of Sinsamut, which got him down. He wasn’t left able to answer the count as the referee stopped the bout.
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‘The Surinamese’ defended his Lightweight Muay Thai title with his knockout victory and extended his win streak to a stunning 21 fights.
In his post-bout interview, Ersel stated, “I feel very good. I am happy man. It was a tough fight. My respect to Sinsamut”. He also described, “I was surprised. I thought he will clinch more. But he kicked more. But I stuck to the gameplan, and he was assaulting(x3). I planned on getting him tired and finished the fight.”
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The 21-fight win streak holder also said that it was his fight IQ which helped him defend his title. The fighter thanked everyone associated with him, stating, “I want to thank everybody who support me. I see all your messages”. He ended with “Great things will come”.
Looking at the superb performance of today, a lot of fans might believe that ‘the two-sport championship holder’ will indeed achieve a lot more “great things”.
