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Tawanchai retains ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World title

Tawanchai retains ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World title

MMA: ONE Championship electrified the sold-out Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, with ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Friday night (June 7).

MMA
By Bangkok Post

Sunday 9 June 2024 02:00 PM


Tawanchai edges out Jo Nattawut in closely contested rematch at ONE 167 . Photo: Bangkok Post

Tawanchai edges out Jo Nattawut in closely contested rematch at ONE 167 . Photo: Bangkok Post

In the main event, Tawanchai PK Saenchai overcame a spirited effort from “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut to successfully defend his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship in their highly anticipated rematch, reports the Bangkok Post.

Much like in their initial clash, the fierce rivals delivered a striking showcase, as they exchanged powerful blows from start to finish. Tawanchai seized control early with his relentless attack, putting his Thai compatriot on the defensive.

Nattawut turned the tide in the third frame, staggering the defending titleholder with heavy artillery and putting him on the back foot. However, Tawanchai dug deep in the final two rounds and delivered the more telling blows down the stretch.

When the scorecards were read, Tawanchai’s effective offense earned him a majority decision win to retain his gold.

In the co-main event, reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon returned to action in style, defeating Denis “The Bosnian Menace” Puric in a 141.25-pound catchweight kickboxing bout.

The Thai megastar unleashed blistering combinations on Puric, catching “The Bosnian Menace” with flush strikes to the head and body. However, Rodtang also displayed his elusiveness, effectively evading his opponent’s power punches.

The 39-year-old Puric came alive in the third and final round, but “The Iron Man” stood his ground and finished strong, walking out with a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards.