WATCH: Thai superstars Tawanchai and Jo Nattawut's tense back-and-forth world title battle at ONE 167
The future of the ONE featherweight Muay Thai division was on the line in the main event of ONE 167 last June 7 between Thai stars 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut and reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champ Tawanchai PK Saenchai.
Right from the onset, both men were keen to prove that they deserved to leave the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand with 26 pounds of gold around their waist as they fired off combos that had their countrymen oohing and aahing.
Check out the highlights below of their five-round war as ONE Championship posted on Instagram.
When it was all said and done, judges awarded Tawanchai with the razor-close majority decision victory and despite the bad blood of their first meeting manifesting itself inside the Circle, Nattawut revealed after the event that he gave Tawanchai his props.
The rematch was just as electric as their first meeting at ONE Fight Night 15 where Tawanchai and Nattawut fought under kickboxing rules, with the former winning by another narrow unanimous decision.
Tawanchai, Jo Nattawut trilogy bout set for ONE 169
As both fights could have gone either way in the eyes of many fans, Tawanchai and Nattawut will have the third chapter of their story play out in the main event of ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8.
The PK Saenchai Muay Thai Gym product will again have his world title on the line and with an opportunity to have a definitive conclusion to their rivalry, fans can expect both greats to go for the finish.
ONE 169 will happen inside the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.