Muangthai PK Saenchai wants challengers “new or old” after reminding ONE Championship fans class is permanent with a huge knockout from his “secret weapon” last weekend.
The “Elbow Zombie” derailed Thai prospect Kongsuk Fairtex’s runaway momentum with a blistering finish at ONE Friday Fights 84 inside the famed Lumpinee Stadium.
It saw the 30-year-old Muay Thai veteran get back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats, and diminished the notion he is becoming a gatekeeper in ONE.
“I'm extremely happy with this fight,” Muangthai told the Bangkok Post. “First of all, I'm happy to be able to get the victory for my gym. The gym owner has always believed in me. He believed I could win, and I delivered.
“Also, Kongsuk is one of the fighters fans are raving about. I'm happy to prove to everyone that I'm no one's stepping stone. I went into the fight, made it entertaining, and was able to win. I'm happy.
“I have the heart of a fighter, and I'm ready for anyone, whether they are newcomers, or old faces in ONE.”
The pair traded knockdowns in a wild second round on Friday night, with Kongsuk dropping Muangthai to the canvas with seconds to go. Luckily for the ONE veteran, the bell sounded almost as soon as he beat the referee’s count.
“It was good to get a little break when the bell rang. But I was ready to continue if it wasn't the end of the round,” Muangthai insisted.
“I was able to get up, and could have returned the combos. That knockdown didn't phase me.”
Instead, Muangthai came out like a man possessed in the third round, and ended the fight with one punch – a clean left hook that put Kongsuk down again.
The 24-year-old tried to resume but referee Chris Batcheldor waived it off – wisely so, with Kongsuk quickly collapsing again and getting carried out on a stretcher.
“This punch has always been my secret weapon,” Muangthai added. “I have actually used this punch to finish several opponents in the past.
“When the ref started the round, I thought to myself that I would use this to finish the fight. I think I'm pretty good at punching.
“I'm still training to use this left hook better. Fans don't see this often because I'm still learning to control and use it better.”
The “Elbow Zombie” derailed Thai prospect Kongsuk Fairtex’s runaway momentum with a blistering finish at ONE Friday Fights 84 inside the famed Lumpinee Stadium.
It saw the 30-year-old Muay Thai veteran get back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats, and diminished the notion he is becoming a gatekeeper in ONE.
“I'm extremely happy with this fight,” Muangthai told the Bangkok Post. “First of all, I'm happy to be able to get the victory for my gym. The gym owner has always believed in me. He believed I could win, and I delivered.
“Also, Kongsuk is one of the fighters fans are raving about. I'm happy to prove to everyone that I'm no one's stepping stone. I went into the fight, made it entertaining, and was able to win. I'm happy.
“I have the heart of a fighter, and I'm ready for anyone, whether they are newcomers, or old faces in ONE.”
The pair traded knockdowns in a wild second round on Friday night, with Kongsuk dropping Muangthai to the canvas with seconds to go. Luckily for the ONE veteran, the bell sounded almost as soon as he beat the referee’s count.
“It was good to get a little break when the bell rang. But I was ready to continue if it wasn't the end of the round,” Muangthai insisted.
“I was able to get up, and could have returned the combos. That knockdown didn't phase me.”
Instead, Muangthai came out like a man possessed in the third round, and ended the fight with one punch – a clean left hook that put Kongsuk down again.
The 24-year-old tried to resume but referee Chris Batcheldor waived it off – wisely so, with Kongsuk quickly collapsing again and getting carried out on a stretcher.
“This punch has always been my secret weapon,” Muangthai added. “I have actually used this punch to finish several opponents in the past.
“When the ref started the round, I thought to myself that I would use this to finish the fight. I think I'm pretty good at punching.
“I'm still training to use this left hook better. Fans don't see this often because I'm still learning to control and use it better.”
