ONE: Saemapetch Fairtex Ready To Become A Champion

The path to becoming a champion will bring Saemapetch Fairtex to Singapore and ONE: Edge of Greatness next.

Saemapetch will challenge Nong-Gaiyanghadao for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai championship on Friday from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Through the years, Saemapetch has climbed the ranks in the Muay Thai world, racking up well over 100 career victories.

“I felt very happy when I heard the news,” Saemapetch said.

“Fighting for the title against a Muay Thai legend like Nong-O is a big honor. It is the biggest fight in my entire career. It is a blessing for me to get to fight him.”

The meeting of Thailand natives will be a memorable one for Saemapetch, who started training in Muay Thai at 11 years old. Three years after beginning the sport, he was competing in the famous Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok.

“Winning the title would mean the world to me,” Saemapetch said.

“It is the biggest most prestigious belt in the world. Fighting against a legend of Muay Thai is already great enough, but winning that belt would be icing on the cake. Not many people get this opportunity.”

Saemapetch Fairtex: Top ONE Championship Bouts

Through his training at the world-renowned Fairtex Training Center in Pattaya, Thailand, Saemapetch has put himself in the best position possible to defeat Nong-O.

“Obviously, I have to be in the best shape in my life and I am training for that,” he said.

“I have to showcase my power for this fight. I am sure it is going to be fun and the fans will love it. I am very excited for everyone to watch. Of course, this match brings a lot of pressure on me to perform. There is a lot at stake, especially when a Thai fighter faces another Thai fighter. I just have to give it my all.”

Nong-O claimed the inaugural ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship in February and has defended it twice. He won the belt against Han Zi Hao and scored successful defenses against both Hiroaki Suzuki and Brice Delval.

“Nong-O is very tactical and a very well-rounded Muay Thai fighter,” Saemapetch said.

“He can do it all, and he has lots of experience. I think age might be a factor in this one. I am the younger guy. And he has not faced a Thai fighter in a long time.”

In April of this year, Saemapetch earned a majority decision over Ognjen Topic at ONE: Roots of Honor. He was 2-0 in ONE in 2018 with victories against both Alaverdi Ramazanov and Deividas Danyla.