Superbon Singha Mawynn plans on ripping up ONE Championship’s best-laid plans with a statement victory at Lumpinee Stadium on Friday night.
The interim featherweight kickboxing champion faces Jo Nattawut in what promises to be a scintillating Muay Thai main event at ONE Friday Fights 81.
Intriguingly, a victory could see the 34-year-old Thai replace Nattawut in November’s ONE 169 title fight against featherweight Muay Thai champ Tawanchai PK Saenchai in Atlanta, Georgia.
ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong told the Bangkok Post as much this week, and Superbon knows what is at stake.
“Of course I want to challenge Tawanchai, to snatch his belt,” Superbon admitted ahead of his clash with compatriot Nattawut.
“My goal here is to be a champion, so I’m here to win. I want a knockout, because I want the bonus.”
Both men passed hydration and made weight without any problems at Thursday afternoon’s official checks, setting the stage for a classic showdown.
Nattawut is still hurting from a controversial majority decision loss to Tawanchai in June at Impact Arena, and will not go down without a fight, however.
“There is a risk in every fight, winning or losing,” Nattawut, also 34, said. “But I don’t focus on that fight in November. I am just focusing on this Friday night.”
The fact Nattawut lives and trains in Atlanta will be providing him even more incentive, however, to ensure Superbon does not steal away his opportunity.
“It’s important to me to win this fight because then I can be the champion,” he added.
“If I win the fight, this Friday night, I would like to stay a week or two in Thailand to train and after that I will fly back to America and train there.
“It’s good that ONE 169 will be in America, it’s going to be big and I’m very honoured to be a part of it too.
“Each fight I’m very excited, but this time back in America it’s going to happen in my home, in my country. My friends can come and watch as well, so I’ll be more comfortable.”