Featherweight Muay Thai top contenders clash as second-ranked Bampara Kouyate and third-ranked Shadow throw down at ONE Fight Night 35
This crucial clash could determine who's next in line for a shot at the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title
And that gold standard is ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai, who has reigned supreme over the division
Third-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Shadow Singha Mawynn will be hunting for a decisive finish when he faces #2-ranked Bampara Kouyate at ONE Fight Night 35 on Prime Video.
This crucial clash could determine who’s next in line for a shot at the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title, and it takes place inside the fabled Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, September 5, live in U.S. primetime.
With his fan-friendly style, Shadow can end any fight instantly – a frightening finishing ability that has powered his rapid ascent through the featherweight ranks.
The former Rajadamnern Stadium World Champion has notched five straight wins in ONE, capped by a second-round destruction of Hassan Vahdanirad last March that secured him a six-figure contract and a spot on ONE Championship’s elite main roster.
He also recently dominated “The Eagle” Mohamed Younes Rabah at ONE Fight Night 33 this past July before an accidental eye poke forced that bout to end in a no contest.
That being said, Kouyate appears to be cut from the same cloth. The Team Mehdi Zatout standout possesses lightning-quick reflexes, devastating high kicks, and an undeniable killer instinct that has made him one of the most feared finishers in the division.
Shadow predicts absolute chaos to unfold and he’s coming into the contest fully equipped for battle:
“You’re definitely going to see my elbows in this fight. If I just stand and trade punches with him, I might not land as many shots as he does, so I could get hit more often.
“I’m confident that someone is getting a knockout in this fight, either him or me. I want an impressive win because it will be good for my future.”
Shadow has studied Kouyate’s impressive run through the division, particularly the Malian-Frenchman’s back-to-back knockout victories over Luke “The Chef” Lessei and “Smokin'” Jo Nattawut.
And while he admits he is concerned about his opponent’s significant height and reach advantage, the Singha Mawynn Gym product has developed a specific game plan to neutralize Kouyate’s strengths through distance control.
He’s ready to capitalize on the slightest mistake. Shadow shared a small part of his strategy:
“I’ve prepared very well for this fight. Bampara is a tall fighter with good punches and excellent footwork. He recently beat Jo Nattawut and Luke Lessei, and his form looks scary. He moves very quickly. I have to find the right moments to get in and out fast so I don’t get hit by his punches, because he is very fast.
“Right now, I’m strengthening all my skills and focusing on making my kicks more precise. This is a new experience for me because I’ve never fought a fighter this tall before, so I have to adjust my game and find a way to win.”
Shadow Eyes Dream Tawanchai Showdown After Kouyate Test
Beyond just beating Bampara Kouyate lies Shadow Singha Mawynn’s ultimate World Championship aspirations. The Bangkok-based striker yearns to test himself against the best 155-pound Muay Thai fighter on the planet.
That gold standard is ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai, who has reigned supreme over the division with his technical brilliance and explosive finishing ability.
For Shadow, a victory over Kouyate represents more than just another impressive win on his record. It’s his pathway to the biggest opportunity of his career and a chance to fulfill the dreams that drove him to take up Muay Thai at age 12.
The Thai star understands the magnitude of this moment:
“I think this is an important opportunity to prove myself and move up to the next level. If I win this fight, I might even get a chance to challenge for the gold.”
Shadow’s motivation stems from years of dedication and his desire to reach the pinnacle of “the art of eight limbs.” The Thai warrior, who started fighting to help his family escape poverty, now senses World Championship glory within his grasp.
His preparation extends beyond the immediate challenge of Kouyate. Shadow has already begun analyzing potential strategies for a future encounter with Tawanchai, should he emerge victorious on Friday.
The 25-year-old added:
“I have to do this. This is very close to my dream, and my dream is to fight against the current champion, Tawanchai. Someday, I want to develop my skills to reach him.
“The first thing that comes to mind is that I have to defend against his left kick and avoid fighting on the outside. I have to stay close and use my elbows.”
