ONE Championship No Surrender: The Fight Site Staff Predictions

July 31st marks the return of the Asian based promotion ONE Championship, and it's safe to say that the card will please every fan of stand up action.

Bangkok's Impact Arena will host some great matchups in the ONE Super series rule sets. We're going to be treated with a series of four fights between Thai stars in both Muay Thai and kickboxing rule sets. After the forced hiatus due to COVID-19, it probably was the best course of action for a returning card in Bangkok.

In the main event, fan favourite Rodtang Jitmuangnon will defend his Flyweight Muay Thai belt against ‘The Baby Shark’ Petchdam Petchyindee Academy. Any Rodtang fight is worth the watch of course, so much ‘The Iron Man’ or ‘Rodtank’ as the fans like to call him, has a crowd pleasing style. The Thai star has been tearing apart his competition in the ONE ranks, beating the talented Englishman Jonathan Haggerty twice to win and retain the belt. He'll face a solid and experienced fellow countryman this time, and he knows him very well, because its going to be their third encounter, with one win apiece going into this rubber match.

The co main will be a clash of generations. Petchmorrakot was 11 when Yodsanklai Fairtex won the Lumpinee stadium 147lbs championship. After a legendary and successful career both home and overseas, ‘Yod’ finally began to decline last year. He's lost his last two fights (the last one by TKO) while Petchmorrakot won his last three (after 2 bouts against Giorgio Petrosyan. We all remember how he won the first one but with the decision infamously overturned.) The fight will be for the vacant featherweight Muay Thai belt.

One of the most anticipated fights in the kickboxing world will take place in this event. We're talking about two of the top 70kg fighters in the world. The rubber match between the former Glory Champion, Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, and the former Kunlun Fight tournament champion, Superbon Banchamek. Both fighters will debut under the ONE Championship banner. Sitthichai lost his Glory belt to Marat Grogorian in their fifth encounter, then won a dull decision, while Superbon won his last 9 fights, after losing to…. Marat Grigorian. The first fight saw Sitthichai win by KO, while Superbon was able to dominate and win the rematch by decision. This will be very interesting, the winner could face Giorgio Petrosyan, which would be fantastic.

Panpayak Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 are no strangers to each other. This will be their seventh meeting, in a classic rivalry seen many times in the stadiums in Thailand. Panpayak clearly has the upper hand here, winning four of those six fights and the last three bouts between them. The first fight went to a draw and Superlek won the third one. The fantastic kicker from the famous Kiatmoo9 gym will look to turn the tables against a confident fighter.

We got you covered with what to expect, and here are some of our staff’s predictions. We are joined by the one and only ApparatusFlatus for these predictions, and The Fight Site want to thank him first for being a friend of the site and secondly for offering up his picks.

Rodtang Jitmuangnong vs Petchdam Petchyindee Academy

Hamady 'Baba' Diagne: Petchdam is a tricky fighter who will not fear Rodtang. He can fight very well on the back foot, and will be more than happy to wait on Rodtang to overcommit and counter. On the other side, Rodtang is on a tear , and I think he's a better fighter than he was when they previously met. He also won the last contest, and I pick him to win this one. Rodtang via Decision

Philippe Pocholle-Marchetti: That’s one crazy fight ! I love Petchdam ! He’s so strong and often breaks his opponent mentally. That fight should be the opposite of the two Haggerty fights that Rod fought lately because I believe Petchdam will be more willing to trade with the champion in the center of the cage than most of his opponents. Petchdam is a violent southpaw, who’s famous for his left headkick but I particularly loves his left straight. Definitely a very dangerous opponent for “AIR YOD”. I’m gonna call Rodtang Air Yod all my life since the day he jumped in the air over Haggerty’s sweep attempt. Rodtang is an absolute beast, commited body puncher, and actually over commited in every strike he throw. But don’t get it wrong, Rodtang’s fight IQ is much better than people give him credit for. I truly hope this fight is a banger in which both men are giving hell to each other. Rodtang won the first fight between them like Baba said and I think it’s fair to consider him the favorite. In an absolute war, in which Petchdam will hurt Rodtang but fail to close the show, I’m seeing Rodtang coming back strong and not missing on the finish as my pick is RODTANG by KO R4.

Mark Schroeder: First of all, someone left the backdoor open because I was able to get in here and I do not feel comfortable. But don’t worry, I haven’t seen a single ONE kickoxing event ever so my pick will be absolutely amazing and unbiased. Out of these two fierce competitors I know only who Rodtang is. It would be nice if I had any knowledge of the other guy but I don’t. It doesn’t matter because if there is one guy on this card a lethwei fan should stan… it’s Rodtang. Anyone who’s ever read anything by me knows I love no-nonsense, maybe even techniqueless, forward moving get-out-of-the-way violence. He’s the Thai Kyal Lin Aung, the destructor of hope and dreams, a tank so advanced the Royal Thai Army would be invincible to have him in service. I’ll pick Rodtang by KO

Kyle McLachlan: These will go tit-for-tat: Petchdam is longer, and had success at all ranges in their other fights. But Rodtang’s aggression—and his no-selling of everything that comes his way—plus him being one of Chatri’s most well-known fighters, should see him through. Expect a very close battle, and don’t be surprised if Rodtang doesn’t look as destructive as he does against Westerners. Rodtang by decision

Lucas Bourdon: They're 1-1 but even in the first one, which he lost, Rodtang managed to get Petchdam into exchanges. Southpaws aiming to keep him at bay will always be a tough match up for Rodtang but Petchdam is far from being as good at it as Kaonar is. Rodtang by decision.

Ryan Wagner: ONE rules favor Rodtang’s aggression and boxing over Petch’s kicks. Rodtang

ApparatusFlatus: I've got Rodtang simply because I think his style and punch-heavy output benefits more from the small gloves, and while they're very different fighters Ennahachi showed how to get Petchdam out of there. Decision but Rodtang might score a knockdown or two.

Petchmorrakot Petchyindee Academy vs Yodsanklai Fairtex

Hamady 'Baba': Yod lost his last 2 fights against 2 powerful fighters in Sana and Yusupov. Petchmorrakot is a different threat but he's relentless and smart. Yod is still the superior boxer but he'll have to handle the pace Petch will bring with him. I reckon Petchmorrakot wins by decision, Yod's days fighting the top of the division might just be over.

Philippe: Will it be the sad moment of the night ? Seeing the old legend getting destroyed or will Yod be able to give a competitive fight to Petchmorrakot (who’s chin and heart are insane). I’m afraid this will end in Round 2. I see Yodsanklai’s hands touching Petchmorrakot early but not being enough to disturb him. Then Petchmorrakot will double up the pace and Yodsanklai won’t be able to stop it. So, sadly my pick is Petchmorrakot via TKO R2

Kyle: Yodsanklai is finally shot it seems, but I’m not so sure Petchmorrakot really has the power to smash him. He still has enough youth and skills to get the win though. He’s quite a weird fighter and I don’t think the computer will be able to process the data coming at him. I also don’t know who the judges are and how Thai judges will fare in Bangkok with only three rounds: it’s not something I’ve really paid attention to before. Petchmorrakot by decision

Lucas: Yodsanklai, great as he is, looked like time finally caught up to him in 2019. The good news is that Petchmorrakot isn't too likely to capitalize on Yod's faded chin but he should still be able to clinch his way to a win.

Ryan: Yod is shot to absolute pieces. Petchmorrakot

ApparatusFlatus: Petchmorakot by decision because even if Yod was still the boxing computer, nobody's computer runs well after 18 years

Sittichai Sitsongpeenong vs Superbon Banchamek III

Hamady 'Baba': Oof, that one. I genuinely have headaches thinking about who will win, so much the 1st two fights were different. Superbon showed a better form than Sitthichai in their last respective outings, against a better opponent. But the lockdown plus the change of org could have benefited Sitthichai in a lot of ways, especially mentally. I suspect he'll show up in a much better condition. Superbon is very tough to beat though, but I'll go with my guts as usual, Sitthichai by decision. Oh and by the way, it's a shame it's only a 3 rounder.

Philippe: That’s my main event! I love Superbon so much and Sittichai is amazing too. I was extremely impressed by both men in their previous fights. Even if the first one is short and doesn’t end well for Superbon, he showed me he was just a little bit more comfortable in that open stance match-up (except for the last blow of the fight) but this was confirmed in the rematch they had (Superbon won via UD). So, I expect a fight in which Superbon’s insane reflexes and capacity to hide his klck behind his feint and punches will give him the lead but it’s so difficult to count out Sittichai to catch him clean. To win that fight, Superbon has to deliver a near-perfect performance. Some people talk about Sittichai being on the decline, I’m not so sure about it. Amazing fight. I’m going to pick Superbon via Unanimous decision

Kyle: Although the KO was not indicative of how fights between these two should go, I’m not so sure Superbon winning a decision is how this one will go either. I think Sittichai will land the cleaner, harder counters and be a step ahead throughout the fight, and will win a decision. But honestly, how do you pick this one? Superbon is a master counter-fighter is himself. Expect a very close one either way.

Lucas: They're 1-1, Sitthichai got the KO in the first one and Superbon edged a decision in the rematch. This is a real coin toss for me but Superbon's edge in technique and creativity makes me lean towards him in a very close fight.

Ryan: I trust Superbon’s recent form a bit more

ApparatusFlatus: I think it's a tossup, they both have experience under kickboxing rules against good opponents. Gun to my head I'd pick Sittichai, but I think that's a function of knowing less about Superbon's opponents in Enfusion. Sittichai by decision.

Panpayak Jitmuangnon vs Superlek Kiatmoo9

Hamady 'Baba': These two are much more evenly matches than the record between them says. Panpayak leads the series but small gloves turn worlds upside down. I believe Superlek will be super aggressive, bring the fight to Rodtang's stablemate and put a high pace to the fight. Panpayak is no stranger to that though, but 3 rounds might not work in his favor. Still, he's clearly Superlek's kryptonite, and I'll favor him to win again. Panpayak by decision.

Philippe: I wonder how many times they are going to fight? Panpayak has a solid lead in this rivalry and from what I saw he’s been able to shutdwon Superlek a few times. As Baba mentionned, the small gloves could change the way this fight is going. The last defeats of Panpayak all came via KO. I’m gonna pick the upset and says that Superlek win via KO R3

Kyle: Far as I know in Bangkok they wear four-once boxing gloves anyway, so the only difference here should be the risk of eye pokes. I can never fully trust Panpayak, but he usually does well against Superlek. Both of these guys are wonderful technicians, so it’ll be fun to watch, but I’ll go Panpayak by decision

Lucas: Three-time fighter of the year Panpayak meets Superlek, who is coming off of a very good 2019, for the 7th time. Panpayak is up 4-1-1 with wins in their last three fights. Superlek's well roundedness makes him a tough fight for anyone but Panpayak's defense, teep and left leg have been enough to beat Superlek without major scares in the past and I figure it will again.

Ryan: Panpayak is a bad matchup for Superlek because of his defense. Panpayak by decision

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Editor’s Note: Ryan was extremely busy, still wanted to contribute, but his initial analysis was accidentally deleted. In pure frustration and with real life too much to bear, he offered these scant predictions in lieu of his earlier, more detailed ones that were sadly lost.