Former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchtanong Petchfergus believes his wealth of experience will be the biggest difference-maker when he faces Japanese phenom Yuki Yoza at ONE Friday Fights 116.
That pivotal bantamweight kickboxing clash will air live in Asia primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, July 18.
The stakes are enormous for both men, as the winner could potentially earn the next shot at ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty‘s coveted belt.
After a full year away from competition, where a few scheduled matches failed to materialize, Petchtanong is determined to kick-start his path back to gold.
The Thai southpaw, who is the division’s #3-ranked contender, is riding a three-bout winning streak that was capped by a thunderous second-round TKO of former titleholder Alaverdi Ramazanov at ONE Friday Fights 68 in July 2024.
Standing across from him will be Yoza, a former K-1 Champion who made an explosive promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 109 in May, where he dismantled previously undefeated Russian striker Elbrus Osmanov en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Yoza has established himself as a rising star in the kickboxing world, bringing an 11-fight winning streak and a massive air of confidence into this crucial showdown.
Petchtanong recently spoke to onefc.com about his preparation for his 27-year-old Japanese rival’s aggressive style:
“Yuki is a very skilled fighter. He’s very quick and agile. He’s quite good. The fight where he debuted in ONE and ended Elbrus Osmanov’s undefeated streak showed that he’s incredibly fit, strong, and durable. He pressures and brawls very well, true to his karateka style.”
Petchtanong, who enters this bout as the taller man at 5-foot-9, has seen it all throughout his remarkable 359-56 career, and his veteran expertise and polished skills could give him an advantage.
Renowned for his counter-striking ability, the 39-year-old excels at catching opponents coming in with his right hook and using the jab to set up his frightening cross. His left kick carries torpedo-like power, often used in combination with his boxing, while his knees to the body have proven to be dangerous weapons by themselves.
Another thing working in the Thai’s favor could be the intimate knowledge he downloaded from Yoza during a sparring session they had not too long ago. Between that and film study, he knows his rival’s striking repertoire incredibly well.
Yoza, who represents Team Vasileus, brings a unique blend of unpredictability and technical precision into the contest. The 27-year-old’s signature weapon is his calf kick, which he can throw from both stances with devastating effect, often finding an unstoppable flow when he lands it consistently.
The Japanese striker also excels at walking opponents down behind a high guard, throwing flurries of punches to set up his kicks, and unleashing unorthodox strikes like flying knees and spinning back kicks that can surprise opponents.
But from the sounds of it, Petchtanong may not be too surprised by what his rival does:
“I already have a plan to deal with Yuki. First, I won’t underestimate him. I’ll be careful shot-for-shot and defend well, especially against his tricky leg kicks and his fast punches, because when we sparred, I saw how fast his punches were, so I need to focus on defending. As for my other weapons, I’ve prepared everything, and I’m ready to adapt to the situation.”
Petchtanong Eyes ONE Final World Title Run
Petchtanong Petchfergus acknowledges this match at ONE Friday Fights 116 represents far more than just another bout on his resume.
While he is completely focused on Yoza, the Thai veteran knows that victory could fast-track him back to the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title.
And competing inside Lumpinee Stadium makes him even more self-assured about his chances of leaving Bangkok’s most sacred fighting venue with the victory.
Petchtanong explained:
“I know this fight means a lot to both me and him because the winner [could] get a chance to fight for the gold against Jonathan Haggerty. Personally, I’m already looking ahead. For this fight, I think I have an advantage in terms of my home turf because I’m fighting in Thailand, which makes me feel very confident.”
At 39 years old, time is not necessarily on Petchtanong’s side, but his dedication to the sport remains unwavering. He maintains a rigorous training schedule, working out six days a week at Superbon Training Camp even when he doesn’t have a bout scheduled.
The Thai’s preparation for this bantamweight kickboxing showdown has been meticulous, with the veteran always training for five-round battles to ensure he has “plenty of gas left in the tank” for the three-round contest.
Clearly, the magnitude of this opportunity is not lost on Petchtanong, as this could potentially be his final run at the World Title he once owned.
He said:
“Even though I’m 39 years old now, I always believe in myself that I can be a ONE World Champion again before I retire from fighting because I take very good care of myself like a professional athlete. My lifestyle, my eating, everything. I live like a professional athlete, and I’ll do everything to become a World Champion again. That’s my last goal before I quit fighting.”
