From a village gym with just one sandbag to the bright lights of ONE Championship’s global stage, Shadow Singha Mawynn has traveled further than most fighters could imagine – and his journey continues against the dangerous Algerian colossus, Mohamed Younes Rabah.
Their highly anticipated featherweight Muay Thai co-main event battle will go down at ONE Fight Night 33: Rodrigues vs. Persson on Prime Video, which airs live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, July 11.
Currently ranked #3 in the featherweight Muay Thai division, the 25-year-old is looking to defend his position and move one step closer to a shot at ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai‘s gold.
The Singha Mawynn representative understands that Rabah’s size and power present unique challenges, but his confidence remains unshaken. Come fight night, Shadow plans to fall back on his well-rounded skill set, which combines the technical precision of a muay femur with the aggressive finishing instincts of a muay boo.
Shadow said:
“I know he’s a very skilled fighter, especially with his heavy and dangerous punches. I haven’t seen any clear weaknesses in him yet, but I’m ready to give it my all.”
(@balonnn____)Shadow has been methodical in his approach to this matchup, working specifically on the tools needed to neutralize the 6-foot-2 Algerian’s lethal striking arsenal. In fact, he’s focused on strengthening the basics that have served him well throughout his impressive five-bout winning streak on ONE Friday Fights.
When asked about facing a bigger opponent and his most dangerous weapon for this clash, Shadow was direct in his assessment of the matchup. His confidence in his elbow work is well-founded, having already showcased the devastating technique in his ONE Friday Fights victories, including his latest knockout of Hassan Vahdanirad this past March.
Shadow said:
“We focused on blocking my opponent’s punches. My preparation for this fight isn’t much different from my ONE Friday Fights fights, because at Singha Mawynn Gym, we already train intensely both morning and evening.
“I don’t think I’ll have any problems facing a bigger opponent. Mohamed is both big and skilled, which makes it a good challenge. My most dangerous weapon in this fight would probably be my elbows.”
Shadow Reflects On Winning Life-Changing Six-Figure Contract
While Shadow Singha Mawynn is focused on his big U.S. primetime debut against Mohamed Younes Rabah, he hasn’t forgotten about the moment that brought him to ONE Championship’s main roster.
He earned a US$100,000 contract with the world’s largest martial arts organization with a spectacular knockout victory at ONE Friday Fights 100, a performance that elevated him from the regional circuit to the global stage and represented the fulfillment of dreams he never dared to imagine.
Shadow said:
“That night at ONE Friday Fights 100, when I got that contract, I was incredibly stunned and deeply moved. I won by knockout and received a bonus, which was something I hadn’t expected at all. Even more incredible was receiving a contract from ONE Championship.”
For a fighter who grew up in poverty and used his early Muay Thai success to support his family, stepping onto the global stage represented an unimaginable leap from his humble beginnings in the Thai provinces.
Shadow’s childhood in Tak province was marked by extreme hardship, with his mother working construction and foraging in the forest to support the family. But the recognition that came with winning a ONE contract has been a blessing, as the Singha Mawynn product has now learned how to navigate the increased attention while staying focused on his World Title aspirations.
The Thai contender said:
“It was beyond the dreams of a country kid who used to fight in the provinces, thinking that just being a main event fighter in the regional circuit would make me incredibly happy. Stepping onto the world stage and representing Thailand is truly an unimaginable feeling.
“Since that day, my life has completely changed. I’m much more recognized, and many people cheer for me. Sometimes, there are negative comments, but I choose to ignore the negativity and refocus on my training.”
