Saemapetch Fairtex is eager to put things right when he runs it back with Mohamed Younes Rabah this weekend.
The Thai star will renew hostilities with Rabah in the ONE Fight Night 19: Haggerty v Lobo co-headliner at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Saturday.
The bantamweight Muay Thai pair traded knockdowns in a crazy one-round war at ONE Fight Night 17 this past December, but Saemapetch felt aggrieved as the referee waved off the fight at the count of three after he was dropped a second time.
"I asked ONE Championship for a rematch with Mohamed. I'm really excited because I want revenge for what he did to me in the last fight. That fight ended too soon," he said.
"I was disappointed and upset that I was knocked down and got kneed in the face while I was down. And they still declared him the winner of the match. That's why I want to rematch.
"At that time, I had to respect the referee's decision. If he was sure I lost the match, I had to accept my defeat. Now, I want to end the controversy. Win or lose I will clear up this ambiguity for the fans."
The rematch could prove to be critical in shaping the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title landscape.
Saemapetch is a long-time contender who remains in the No.4 ranking spot, while Rabah will be desperate to force his way into the talent-laden top five by making it two for two against the Fairtex Training Center standout.
Importantly, both men will also have a close eye on the ONE Fight Night 19 main event, as divisional king Jonathan "The General" Haggerty puts one of his two 26-pound gold belts on the line against Brazilian knockout artist -- and former Saemapetch conqueror -- Felipe Lobo.
Saemapetch is acutely aware of the high stakes. The 29-year-old is ready to take the lessons learned from his first meeting with Rabah and plant his flag in the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title race once again.
"This rematch is very important to me. I want to prove to the fans that I'm still the same Saemapetch," said the Thai star.
"I already know Rabah from the previous fight. I know how I will handle him. I've prepared many tricks to surprise him in the ring. I will use a wider variety of weapons. I will be more efficient. I will definitely not be rash or careless this time.
"Mohamed, I'm going to pay you back on Feb 17. I won't make the same mistake twice."