Why ONE Friday Fights 126 Is Unmissable: Check 5 Reasons to Watch

ONE Championship is set to deliver one of the year’s most thrilling Asia primetime events when ONE Friday Fights 126 takes over Bangkok, Thailand, on September 26.

The tentpole edition blends together everything that has made this weekly series must-see TV: household names returning to the spotlight, heated rivalries revisited, and fearless rising stars chasing a six-figure contract and a spot on the organization’s global roster.

With 12 high-stakes bouts spread across Muay Thai and kickboxing, fans can expect fireworks from beginning to end. That said, here are five reasons why you can’t miss the action this Friday.

#1 Nabil Anane & Shadow Step Into A New Battlefield

Two of the most dangerous and highly entertaining Muay Thai practitioners on the planet today are stepping into new territory.

Undisputed ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane begins his quest for two-sport greatness when he makes his kickboxing debut against former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi.

The bantamweight clash pits Anane’s towering 6-foot-4 frame and devastating knees against the Dutch-Moroccan’s smooth footwork and pinpoint striking arsenal.

A win over the division’s #2-ranked contender would instantly establish Anane among the elite in a second discipline. Meanwhile, should Ennahachi spoil the party, it would be a crucial step toward obtaining a ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title shot.

Meanwhile, Shadow Singha Mawynn is stepping up on short notice after Tawanchai PK Saenchai withdrew from the co-main event due to injury.

Fresh off his jaw-dropping spinning backfist knockout of #2-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Bampara Kouyate at ONE Fight Night 35, Shadow now meets Chinese sensation Liu Mengyang in his first kickboxing bout under the ONE banner.

With Liu already holding a statement win over ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri and Shadow enjoying a run of dominance over top names, this showdown could be the fight of the night.

#2 Sam-A’s Return Is A Must-Watch

Whenever Sam-A Gaiyanghadao competes, fans are treated to a masterclass.

A former two-sport, two-division king and one of Thailand’s most decorated strikers with 375 career victories, the 41-year-old legend embodies the craft, composure, and technical beauty of Muay Thai.

At ONE Friday Fights 126, Sam-A returns in a strawweight Muay Thai clash against Myanmar’s Thway Lin Htet, a 22-year-old bulldozer who is making waves with his aggression.

Thway Lin Htet is riding a four-bout winning streak, with three of those victories coming by way of stoppage, and he aims to shock the Thai icon and inch closer to the life-changing contract.

For new fans, this is a chance to witness a living legend still performing at the highest level. For longtime followers, it’s another chapter in a career that’s already etched in history.

#3 Explosive Rematches With High Stakes

Two heated rivalries return to the spotlight, and both carry unfinished business.

Yodlekpet “The Destroyer” Or Atchariya and Pompet Panthonggym meet again in a flyweight Muay Thai rematch after their razor-thin clash at ONE Friday Fights 120.

“The Destroyer” edged out his Thai compatriot in their initial encounter via split decision, but Pompet’s relentless pace left the result hotly debated. This second showdown has all the makings of a war, with pride and opportunity on the line.

Also, “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian seeks redemption in his strawweight kickboxing rematch with Rui Botelho, who stunned the Chinese star with a split-decision win in their first tilt.

Zhang aims to show he has evolved since that setback two years ago, while the Portuguese striker wants to prove his triumph was no fluke.

Expect a high-tempo battle where every exchange matters.

#4 The Youth Movement Continues

The next generation isn’t waiting its turn – it’s already here. Three youthful sensations are set to shine at ONE Friday Fights 126.

Yonis Anane, the 18-year-old WBC Muay Thai World Champion and younger brother of Nabil, returns in strawweight Muay Thai action against Vietnamese promotional newcomer Huynh Hoang Phi.

After a confident debut win at ONE Friday Fights 114 in June, Yonis looks to build momentum and prove he belongs on the big stage.

At just 17, Adam Sor Dechapan has already shown toughness and venomous striking in two appearances this year.

The Thai-Malaysian prodigy – and younger brother of strawweight Muay Thai contender Aliff Sor Dechapan – now faces Japanese debutant Toma Kuroda in atomweight kickboxing, eager to add another highlight-reel moment to his young career.

But Kuroda is a dangerous challenge. He is the inaugural K-1 Bantamweight Champion and brings a six-bout winning streak into the contest.

Rounding out the trio is Jurai Ishii, a 20-year-old Japanese striker riding a 12-bout winning streak, including three victories at ONE Friday Fights.

His last two matches ended with spectacular finishes, including a second-round knee strike against Youness Mounine and a thunderous head kick on Har Ling Om.

Next, he meets 21-year-old Frenchman Enzo Clarisse, a Team Mehdi Zatout product who will surely test the Japanese athlete’s momentum in their 120-pound Muay Thai affair.

#5 Seksan, Suablack, Muangthai & Kacem Promise Chaos

If there’s one guarantee at ONE Friday Fights, it’s that warriors like these never disappoint.

Seksan Or Kwanmuang, known as “The Man Who Yields To No One,” returns to the ring in a 140-pound Muay Thai showdown against Suablack Tor Pran49.

Seksan’s legendary durability and relentless pressure have made him a global fan favorite. Now, after two setbacks, the 36-year-old fights not just for victory, but to remind the world why he remains one of the sport’s most entertaining competitors.

Meanwhile, Suablack, who is world-famous for his colossal leg muscles, returned to form in June with a thrilling victory over Sangarthit Looksaikongdin. At ONE Friday Fights 126, he plans to earn his biggest win yet.

Right after that match, Muangthai PK Saenchai collides with Belarusian-French powerhouse Antar Kacem in another 140-pound Muay Thai war.

“The Elbow Zombie” thrives in close-range brawls and enters the tussle on a three-bout winning streak. Kacem, however, has been surging with four straight wins of his own, and a fifth could deliver him the six-figure contract he craves.

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