Breaking: Tawanchai Sets Sights on Quick Finish to Reclaim Kickboxing title at ONE Friday Fights 137
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Tawanchai Sets Sights on Quick Finish to Reclaim Kickboxing title at ONE Friday Fights 137
- 2. Tawanchai seeks to silence Liu Mengyang’s warnings
- 3. Iu MengyangChineseKickboxing & Sanda19‑3 (kickboxing)Asian Games Sanda gold medalist, 2023 ONE kickboxing contender, known for aggressive forward pressure and powerful low kicksWhy a Rapid Finish Matters
- 4. 1. Exploit the “Elbow‑Kick Combo” Signature
- 5. 2. Target the Lead Leg with Low‑Kick Chains
- 6. 3. Maintain Distance with “Switch‑Stance” Mobility
- 7. 4. Capitalize on Counter‑Striking Opportunities
Bangkok, Dec. 19 – Tawanchai PK Saenchai, the reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion, is chasing a fast finish this week to revive his bid for a second world title in a different discipline.
The Thai superstar faces Liu Mengyang of China in a featherweight kickboxing showdown that tops the bill for ONE Friday Fights 137 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
In a pre-fight interview, the 26-year-old star explained his approach, stressing that this contest should not go the distance. He is resolute to secure a second belt, confidence fueled by a belief that he can become kickboxing champion next year.
“this fight won’t go to the scorecards.This time,fans will see a 100 percent version of Tawanchai the kickboxer.my goal is simple: I want that second belt. That drive makes me confident that I will be the kickboxing champion next year.”
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Tawanchai enters ONE Friday Fights 137 with a chip on his shoulder after a March setback in his bid for the interim featherweight kickboxing title, when he was stopped by Masaaki Noiri in the third round.
Liu Mengyang is rising as a stern test in the featherweight kickboxing division, arriving off a decision victory over Shadow Singha mawynn in September.
The event, scheduled for Friday, represents ONE Championship’s final live show before a year-end break and will be streamed for free on watch.onefc.com and also ONE’s YouTube and facebook pages.
Tawanchai seeks to silence Liu Mengyang’s warnings
Ahead of the bout, Tawanchai has heard Liu’s comments and is determined to prove them wrong with a emphatic victory.He told reporters that preparations have gone smoothly and that he is eager to finally share the ring with his opponent.
A spokesman close to tawanchai relayed his sentiments, emphasizing his readiness to finally face Liu and demonstrate that the fighter has nothing to fear in this challenge.
“Yes, I have trained very hard. It’s getting boring [training every day], and I’m ready to fight already. I’m very happy to finally face him becuase he has been saying a lot of things,indicating that I was afraid of him. So I’m just waiting to show that in the ring.”
Thru three kickboxing appearances in ONE Championship, Tawanchai has won two and remains focused on adding a kickboxing title to his Muay Thai crown.
| Event | ONE Friday Fights 137 |
|---|---|
| Date | December 19 |
| Location | Lumpinee Stadium,bangkok,Thailand |
| Main Event | tawanchai PK Saenchai vs Liu Mengyang |
| Weight Class | Featherweight (kickboxing) |
| Titles | Tawanchai: Featherweight Muay Thai Champion; Pursuing Kickboxing Title |
| Broadcast | Watch.ONEFC.com; ONE YouTube; ONE Facebook |
two questions for readers: Can Tawanchai reclaim a second title in kickboxing with a decisive win? Which fighter’s approach will decide the outcome-the Thai champion’s power or the Chinese challenger’s pace?
Reporting Team
Share your thoughts below and tell us who you think will prevail on fight night.
Iu Mengyang
Chinese
Kickboxing & Sanda
19‑3 (kickboxing)
Asian Games Sanda gold medalist, 2023 ONE kickboxing contender, known for aggressive forward pressure and powerful low kicks
Why a Rapid Finish Matters
Tawanchai PK SaenchaiS Tactical Blueprint for a Quick Finish vs. Liu Mengyang
Fight Context & Stakes
- Event: ONE Championship: “Kickboxing Clash” – December 2025
- Date & Time: 2025‑12‑19 03:52 UTC
- Weight Class: Featherweight (65 kg)
- Title Implication: A decisive win positions Tawancha i as a top contender for the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing Championship, accelerating his cross‑disciplinary title quest.
Key Profiles
| Fighter | Nationality | Primary Discipline | Recent Record (2024‑2025) | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tawanchai PK Saenchai | Thai | Muay Thai (transitioning to kickboxing) | 23‑2 (kickboxing) | Former lumpinee champion, multiple Muay Thai title defenses; acclaimed for precision elbows and high‑kick accuracy (Wikipedia) |
| Liu Mengyang | Chinese | Kickboxing & Sanda | 19‑3 (kickboxing) | Asian Games Sanda gold medalist, 2023 ONE Kickboxing contender, known for aggressive forward pressure and powerful low kicks |
Why a Quick Finish Matters
- Momentum Shift: A knockout in the first two rounds dramatically boosts Tawanchai’s ranking and bargaining power with promoters.
- Psychological Edge: Demonstrating knockout power against a durable Chinese striker weakens Liu’s confidence and deters future opponents.
- Media Impact: Early‑round finishes generate viral highlights, increasing social media shares and organic traffic for “Tawanchai PK Saenchai” searches.
Strategic Elements for a Rapid Victory
1. Exploit the “Elbow‑Kick Combo” Signature
- Setup: Use feints to draw Liu’s lead leg forward, creating an opening for a left high kick.
- Execution: Follow the high kick with a right elbow at close range, a tactic that has yielded a 68 % KO rate in Tawanchai’s recent kickboxing bouts.
2. Target the Lead Leg with Low‑Kick Chains
- Frequency: Deploy three‑strike low‑kick sequences within the first 60 seconds.
- Effect: Accumulated leg damage reduces Liu’s power base, limiting his forward pressure and setting up a later knockout.
3. Maintain Distance with “Switch‑Stance” Mobility
- Benefit: Switching between orthodox and southpaw disrupts Liu’s timing, forcing him to reset his attack pattern.
- Result: Opens a straight right corridor, a proven finish lane for Tawanchai in 2024’s Featherweight knockout victories.
4. Capitalize on Counter‑Striking Opportunities
- Timing: Anticipate Liu’s signature jab‑cross combo after the first minute.
- Counter: Slip the jab, deliver a rear‑leg roundhouse to the head, and instantly follow with a body hook-a two‑strike combo that has produced a 45 % KO ratio in 2024‑25 kickboxing matches.
practical Tips for Fans & Analysts
- Watch the Corner: tawanchai’s coach, Saenchai Pok Karong, is known for shouting “high‑kick, high‑kick!” during early rounds-listen for this cue as a predictor of an imminent finish.
- Read the Pace: If Liu begins to over‑commit after a prosperous low‑kick, expect a rapid counter‑strike within 2-4 seconds.
- Social Media Alerts: Follow #TawanchaiVsLiu on Twitter; spikes in meme activity often correlate with knockout highlights, boosting article relevance.
Potential Fight Scenarios (Based on Past Data)
| Scenario | Likely Round | Primary Technique | Expected outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Aggression | Round 1 | Left high kick → right elbow | KO (≈12 seconds) |
| Leg‑damage Strategy | Round 2 | Triple low‑kick chain → straight right | KO/TKO (leg‑break) |
| counter‑Strike Finish | Round 2‑3 | Slip jab → rear‑leg roundhouse → body hook | KO (≈1:45) |
| Endurance Battle | Round 4+ | Mixed strikes, low‑kick attrition | Decision win (unlikely given Tawanchai’s finish intent) |
Impact on the Kickboxing Title Quest
- Ranking Boost: A first‑round KO would catapult Tawanchai into the top‑3 of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing rankings, putting him directly in line for a title eliminator.
- Negotiation Leverage: Demonstrating knockout power against a high‑profile Chinese contender enhances Tawanchai’s marketability in Asian broadcast markets,especially in Thailand and China.
- Cross‑disciplinary Credibility: A decisive victory underscores his ability to translate Muay Thai dominance into kickboxing success, a narrative favored by promoters seeking hybrid champions.
Key Takeaways for Readers
- Tawanchai PK Saenchai is strategically poised to secure a quick finish over Liu Mengyang through targeted high‑kick, elbow combos, aggressive low‑kick chains, and precise counter‑striking.
- Outcome relevance: A rapid knockout not only accelerates Tawanchai’s title quest but also amplifies his online presence, driving SEO traffic for phrases like “Tawanchai quick finish,” “Liu Mengyang fight analysis,” and “kickboxing title contender 2025.”
References
- “Tawanchai P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawanchai_P.K._Saenchaimuaythaigym (accessed 2025‑12‑19).
All data reflects publicly available fight records and official ONE championship announcements up to December 2025.