ONE Friday Fights 46: Tawanchai vs. Superbon will cap off 2023 in spectacular fashion this Friday, December 22.
With three massive World Title showdowns and a supporting card that features some of the most exciting names in ONE Championship, the all-striking showcase at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium promises to be one of the year’s most exciting events.
Here are five reasons why fans need to tune in when the action gets underway live in Asia primetime from Bangkok, Thailand.
#1 The World Title Super-Fight Between Tawanchai And Superbon
Following a series of setbacks and postponements, fans are even hungrier to see Tawanchai PK Saenchai’s ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title defense against fellow Thai megastar Superbon Singha Mawynn.
The 24-year-old divisional king has looked incredible since he entered ONE, posting a 7-1 record with five knockout wins. His finishing abilities have leveled up in the 4-ounce gloves, and combined with his all-around skill set, Tawanchai looks hard to beat.
However, Superbon is a veteran at the highest level who has no fear of any opponent. With knockout wins over the likes of Giorgio Petrosyan and Tayfun Ozcan, the former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion is a hugely dangerous challenger.
After focusing on kickboxing in recent years, the 33-year-old will have access to more of his tools in “the art of eight limbs,” and that should produce a clash for the ages this Friday.
#2 A ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title Unification Bout
Joseph “The Hurricane” Lasiri is eager to prove a point in his ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title rematch with Prajanchai PK Saenchai to unify their divisional belts.
The Italian-Moroccan striker delivered the performance of his career to take the crown from Prajanchai in their first meeting last year, but many fans and pundits believe that result was a one-off.
This time, Lasiri knows the interim titleholder will take him extremely seriously, and he wants to put any doubts to bed with another victory.
Meanwhile, Prajanchai was stung by the third-round stoppage loss and roared back with three wins. The Thai star looks stronger than ever and wants to become the undisputed king again – while getting redemption for a rare loss.
Both men have a lot invested in this rematch, and neither will let the victory slip from their grasp without a tough fight.
#3 Legend Meets Phenom For Interim Kickboxing Gold
The third World Championship bout features two of the most feared women’s strikers on the planet right now, who will square off for the ONE Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Title.
With an incredible 206-6 career record in Muay Thai, “The Queen” Phetjeeja is a 21-year-old Thai prodigy who’s blasted her way to four straight stoppage wins in ONE.
On Friday, she will meet 35-year-old icon Anissa “C18” Meksen, who holds a 103-5 career slate and has won a combined seven Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Titles. Now, the French-Algerian hopes to crown her legendary resume with gold in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Both women pack serious power but come armed with other specialties.
Phetjeeja has the kind of one-shot KO potential that few of her peers can match, as well as the aggression and confidence of youth. Meksen is a kickboxing specialist with more experience at the elite level, having seen it all in her years atop the sport.
So far, nobody has been able to withstand to Phetjeeja’s offense in ONE, but “C18” represents an entirely new level of opposition.
It’s impossible to know which attributes will make the biggest difference in this fascinating matchup, but given their styles of combat, the only guarantee is a fast-paced battle from the opening bell.
#4 Nong-O Makes His Big Return
Nong-O Hama will step back into the ring for the first time since losing the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title to Jonathan “The General” Haggerty in April.
The 37-year-old Thai legend snapped his 10-fight unbeaten streak in that knockout defeat, but still holding the #1 ranking, he wants to earn a rematch with Haggerty while he still has the chance.
On Friday, Nong-O will face 25-year-old Scottish rising star Nico “King of the North” Carrillo, who’s earned the division’s #5 ranking with a pair of impressive knockouts at ONE Friday Fights.
Nong-O could make his case for another World Title shot with a victory, but Carrillo also has a massive opportunity in front of him.
After all, Nong-O is one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time – and taking him out could propel “King of the North” to the very top of the division.
#5 Seksan Looks to Cap Perfect Year
Nobody has provided more action for ONE fans in 2023 than Seksan Or Kwanmuang.
Known as “The Man Who Yields to No One,” the 34-year-old Thai sensation has stayed true to his moniker by going 7-0 this year with his uniquely aggressive style.
After being on the verge of retirement, Seksan has changed his life with his epic run at ONE Friday Fights and his six-figure contract with the organization. Now, he hopes to put one final exclamation mark on his outstanding 12-month run.
Of course, opponent River Daz knows exactly what Seksan brings to the table and the amount of hype surrounding this card, so this is a big chance for him to hijack some of that momentum.
Fighting out of the famous Fairtex Training Center, Daz is surrounded by world-class teammates and has only lost once in his professional career, but Seksan will be his toughest test to date.
The Australian upstart needs to utilize his footwork and powerful counters to fend off “The Man Who Yields to No One,” and a successful performance would rocket him up the ladder.
