Tawanchai PK Saenchai will begin his road towards two-sport world title glory on Saturday.
The ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion is set to face Davit Kiria in a kickboxing battle at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov v Grigorian at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
The Thai phenom is riding a four-fight win streak in the Muay Thai ranks and believes he can carry that momentum over to the kickboxing world without too much trouble.
"It's getting harder for me to get a Muay Thai match in my weight class, while there are many great kickboxing fighters. I want to try new things, and I have a new dream of being a kickboxing world champion as well as a Muay Thai world champion," he said.
"I need to learn new rules which are not too different. It's quite a pressure, to be honest, but shouldn't be too hard for me. It's a pressure but also a challenge because I want to fight with great fighters to prove to myself whether I can beat them."
There are no tune-up fights at the top level, however. For his first kickboxing bout in ONE, Tawanchai faces a decorated former Glory kickboxing champion with a point to prove.
Kiria has endured a tough promotional introduction despite his win over Enriko Kehl back in 2021. The 31-year-old has suffered three defeats to some of the best fighters that the stacked featherweight division has to offer.
Although the Georgian is known worldwide for his high-energy fighting style with a penchant for the flashier techniques, Tawanchai's strengths lie in the more conventional realm.
"His strength is his right hook. His punches are really heavy and really fast. And his physical strength, too. His weakness? From what I've seen, I don't think he defends himself that much. I think that's the only weakness," he said.
"I can't say if I can or cannot knock him out. We don't know the future, but let's say I'll do my best to beat him."
Tawanchai has reeled off five wins since joining ONE back in 2021, culminating in his unanimous decision win over longtime ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee at ONE 161 in September.
The 24-year-old defended the strap in mere seconds with a leg kick TKO win over Jamal Yusupov in February.
Now he has his sights firmly set on joining the elite group of fighters to win world titles across multiple disciplines.
"Winning is really important as it's my first ONE Championship kickboxing fight. I need to keep my winning streak so that I get my chance to win the kickboxing belt," he said.
"I don't think a person should stick with just one dream. We don't stop growing. I completed my Muay Thai dream, next is the kickboxing belt."