Muanghtai starches Kulabdam at ONE Friday Fights 9

Muangthai PK Saenchai showcased why he’s called the ‘Elbow Zombie’ and for good reason. In his fourth fight against a familiar foe, Muangthai ended Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai with a devastating elbow strike in the third round of their Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 9.

Muangthai had the hyped-up crowd inside the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in a frenzy when he put Kulabdam on the mat with the shot that has made him such a fearsome contender in ONE Championship’s stacked bantamweight Muay Thai division.

Despite the highlight reel victory, Muangthai PK Saenchai admitted in his post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson that he felt outside pressure from the community:

“I feel so relieved because a lot of people put the pressure on me that I would get knocked out for sure, so I feel so much better now.”

Things looked dire for Muangthai in the first round, with Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai pushing the pace early. Kulabdam was the aggressor in the first round and landed a big flurry in the final minute of the opening minutes. Muangthai PK Saenchai, however, found his footing in the second and landed some clean shots in the clinch.

The third saw both fighters actively look for the knockout, but it was Muangthai’s signature shot that finished the contest 1:37 into the round. While Muangthai is not yet in the top five of the bantamweight rankings, that win was sure to give him a strong argument for inclusion into the division’s elite. The win was Muangthai’s third straight in ONE Championship, sixth overall in the promotion, and his 203rd in his entire career.