3 Explosive Showdowns at ONE Friday Fights 126 That Could Reshape Kickboxing And Muay Thai Rankings

ONE Championship will close September with a bang when it returns to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, for ONE Friday Fights 126 on Friday, September 26.

The weekly spectacle has cemented itself as a highlight on the global martial arts calendar, bringing high-stakes matchups and world-class performances live in Asia primetime.

This time, 12 bouts across multiple disciplines will ignite the Thai capital, with several fights carrying major implications for their divisions.

Here are three matchups you absolutely can’t miss.

#1 Tawanchai PK Saenchai Vs. Liu Mengyang

Five-time ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai resumes his quest for two-sport glory after falling short in his first bid to capture the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title against Masaaki Noiri earlier this year at ONE 172.

Now, his road back begins with the very man who shocked Noiri — China’s Liu Mengyang.

Tawanchai’s transition to kickboxing was promising before that setback, as he blasted through Davit Kiria with a bone-snapping body kick and outpointed “Smokin'” Jo Nattawut with precision striking.

His explosive left leg remains one of the most feared weapons in combat sports, capable of ending a fight in an instant.

But Liu has proven that he belongs among the elite. Just 20 seconds into his late-notice debut at ONE Friday Fights 92, the 22-year-old floored Noiri with blistering combinations en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Though he dropped a razor-thin split decision to Mohammad Siasarani, the fast-rising phenom has shown the potential to become China’s first male ONE Kickboxing World Champion.

The timing couldn’t be more critical.

On November 16, Noiri will meet reigning divisional king Superbon in Tokyo to unify the featherweight crown at ONE 173. A victory at Lumpinee Stadium would allow either Tawanchai or Liu to stake their claim as the rightful next challenger.

#2 Ilias Ennahachi Vs. Nabil Anane

The bantamweight kickboxing clash between former flyweight king Ilias Ennahachi and reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane is set to light up Lumpinee Stadium.

Ennahachi relinquished his flyweight strap in 2022 to move up a division, but he hasn’t missed a beat. He smashed Aliasghar Ghodratisaraskan with a thunderous left hook at ONE Friday Fights 6 and dominated former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto at ONE Friday Fights 81.

With a perfect 5-0 slate in the world’s largest martial arts organization, the Dutch-Moroccan sits at #2 in the stacked bantamweight kickboxing rankings.

Standing in his way is one of the most unique talents in the sport today. At 6-foot-4, Anane towers over his rivals and uses his long-range kicks and stabbing knees to devastating effect.

The Algerian-Thai phenom is riding a seven-fight winning streak, capped by a first-round demolition of Nico “King of the North” Carrillo to claim the interim Muay Thai belt and a revenge victory over former titleholder “The Kicking Machine” Superlek.

The stakes couldn’t be higher as the winner could move one step closer to challenging reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty.

#3 Yodlekpet Vs. Pompet II

If their first encounter was any indication, the rematch between Yodlekpet Or Atchariya and Pompet Panthonggym could be another instant classic in flyweight Muay Thai.

When they first met at ONE Friday Fights 120, the result was too close for comfort. Yodlekpet escaped with a split decision, but Pompet proved he could stand toe-to-toe with the decorated four-time Muay Thai World Champion.

That razor-thin outcome has only heightened anticipation for the sequel.

With nearly 200 combined victories, both men bring an enormous amount of experience into the ring – and both know a win this time could be career-altering.

Beyond settling unfinished business, the stakes are crystal clear. A breakthrough performance could secure either man the coveted US$100,000 main roster contract.

Equally important, the winner could propel himself into the flyweight elite, where global icons like former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon, reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek, and former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama await.

With the divisional throne still vacant, this rematch could help determine the next wave of challengers.

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