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While they will be on opposite sides in their upcoming fight, Australian striker Danial Williams considers Portuguese opponent Rui Botelho a friend, dating back to their days of fighting at K-1.
The two warriors are set to battle in a featured strawweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video. The event is set for March 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
In an interview with ONE Championship, 'Mini T' shared that he and Rui Botelho go back a long way and have been in touch on social media, particularly on Instagram.
Danial Williams said:
“He's been around, we fought on the same card in the K-1 Grand Prix, in Japan in 2014, so I know he's been around a long time. I'm kind of mates with him, really. We stayed in touch on Instagram. We both felt like we got robbed in that K-1 Grand Prix fight.”
Notwithstanding their ties, Danial Williams is hell bent on coming out on top at ONE Fight Night 8, which will mark his return to Muay Thai after spending his last four fights competing in mixed martial arts.
Botelho, meanwhile, is looking to firmly establish his footing in ONE five years into his journey, and is out to catch a break in his fight against 'Mini T'.
All ONE Fight Night events are broadcast live and for free in North America via Prime Video.
Danial Williams says victory over Rui Botelho puts him in line to challenge Joseph Lasiri
Australian striker Danial Williams is not just looking at his upcoming fight as his return to Muay Thai but more importantly as an entry point to a world title shot.
'Mini T' will battle Portuguese fighter Rui Botelho in a strawweight encounter at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24. It will mark his first Muay Thai contest since last competing in it in his promotional debut in April 2021.
Speaking to ONE Championship, Danial Williams said he believes now is the opportune time to return to Muay Thai after spending his last four fights in mixed martial arts.
He also shared that a win over Rui Botelho would propel him to a world title showdown against reigning ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Joseph Lasiri of Italy considering the current landscape in the division.
The striker from Perth, Australia, said:
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, there's just not much action happening that I've noticed of the other strawweights in the division. Saying that, many Thais are coming out now in every Friday Fights show. There are more fights for me in the division, but I think Joseph is keen as well.”
Danial Williams added:
“I think a win over him [Botelho] would put me up there. I'm deserving of a shot. I've always said this because we've all been around the block … I just feel that I can jump straight back in there at that top level.”
Williams last fought in Muay Thai against ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and then proceeded to compete in MMA, where he chalked up an impressive 3-1 record.
