WATCH: Saemapetch’s booming overhand left earns him sweet revenge against Rittewada
When Saemapetch Fairtex steps inside the Circle, you can expect something spectacular.
The No. 4 ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender gave fight fans exactly that at ONE 160 in August 2022 when he snapped a two-fight losing skid by scoring a vicious second-round knockout against two-time world champion Rittewada Petchyindee.
"The high-stakes bantamweight Muay Thai rematch between #2-ranked Rittewada Petchyindee and #1-ranked Saemapetch Fairtex!"
Saemapetch will look to add another highlight-reel knockout to his career on Friday, July 5 when he returns to the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium for a clash with the 'King of the North' Nico Carrillo at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video.
With both men sitting firmly in the bantamweight top five, the victor could very well find themselves lined up for a shot at the division's top prize—currently held by reigning two-sport king Jonathan Haggerty.
Standing in Saempetch's way of a 128th career victory is Nico Carrillo, a Scottish standout on the cusp of securing his first shot at 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold.
Carrillo stormed onto martial arts' biggest global stage with a pair of back-to-back knockouts against Kurkan Karabag and Muangtha PK.Saenchai. However, the 'King of the North' really caught the attention of fight fans with his incredible come-from-behind victory over former ONE world champion Nong-O Hama at ONE Friday Fighs 46 in December.
The win put Carrillo into the No. 1 spot in the bantamweight Muay Thai rankings. Now he'll look to secure that top spot with a win over one of the greatest strikers in the art of eight limbs.
Will Carrillo make another big statement in his fourth promotional appearance, or will Saemapetch move up the ladder and set the stage for a shot at Haggerty's bantamweight crown?
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 23 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 5.