After the highly-regarded Saemapetch Fairtex was forced to pull out of the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament Final due to injury last week, Muay Thai veteran Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym, the man Saemapetch beat, was tapped as a last-minute replacement.
Now the 30-year-old CH7 Muay Thai World Champion is stepping into the tournament final against a streaking Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai, with the winner moving on to face Nong-O Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
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Rodlek couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity, and plans to right the ship with a come-from-behind victory.
“I have no problem stepping in for Saemapetch. I feel like I won that fight anyway. Unfortunately, the judges didn’t see it like that overall. But I’m here now and I plan to make the most of it,” said Rodlek.
Rodlek and Kulabdam are scheduled to square off in the co-main event of ONE: A NEW BREED, a live, closed-door, audience-free broadcast scheduled for Friday, 28 August in Bangkok, Thailand.
Against Kulabdam, Rodlek faces a young, energetic and very dangerous 2-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion.
Kulabdam scored an electric first-round knockout of fan favorite Sangmanee Klong SuanPluResort in his last bout, punching his ticket to the tournament final in epic fashion.
Though it was an upset victory in every sense, Rodlek feels the right man won. He is also well aware of his next opponent’s many weapons.
“I think the right man won. Kulabdam is a lot stronger mentally, with a lot of weapons and good experience. But I think his defense leaves a lot to be desired. He may not be able to handle my speed,” said Rodlek.
“At the same time, all of his weapons are very sharp, and as we saw in his last fight, he can knock out his opponent at any time.”
ONE: A NEW BREED brings together the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent. The headline bout features ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand, who defends her title against promotional newcomer Allycia Hellen Rodrigues of Brazil.
If he can earn the victory here, Rodlek will set up a very interesting showdown with the legendary Nong-O sometime in the near future. It’s a bout that Rodlek not only wants for himself, but also for his team and his gym, but first he has to get past Kulabdam.
The 30-year-old is aware of the high stakes surrounding his next outing, and is laser-focused on achieving victory.
“This fight is very important to me. If I win here, it will be such a huge honor for my team, my gym, and for myself. I just want to put on an exciting show,” Rodlek concluded.
Download the ONE Super App to catch all the action at ONE: A NEW BREED for free or tune in to watch on meWATCH at 8:30 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT).
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