Elbrus Osmanov’s injury forced a late card reshuffling at ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19 inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium, and the change created an unexpected opportunity that carries far more narrative weight than the original matchup.

Thailand’s Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri will now move up from bantamweight to featherweight to face Alexey Balyko — the lone fighter to defeat him in the Asia primetime weekly series — in a rematch loaded with redemption stakes for both men.

Their first meeting at ONE Friday Fights 33 in September 2023 altered Yod-IQ’s career trajectory in ways the 23-year-old never anticipated. Balyko cracked him with a thunderous left hook in the second round, scoring a knockdown en route to a unanimous decision victory that handed the Thai phenom his first promotional setback. Yet that defeat became a turning point rather than a career-defining moment, sparking an eight-fight winning streak that began against Ilyas Musaev at ONE Friday Fights 44 two months later.

Yod-IQ’s evolution since that loss has been remarkable. His 10-1 ONE Championship record includes a methodical dismantling of Italian knockout artist Alessio Malatesta over three rounds this past July at ONE Friday Fights 117, showcasing the complete performance that lifted his overall slate to 125-36 while establishing him as a legitimate contender for the coveted six-figure contract. Momentum firmly sits on his side heading into Friday’s clash, creating the perfect scenario for erasing the lone blemish on his promotional resume with statement victory.

Balyko arrives carrying his own redemption narrative after a brutal three-fight skid that threatens to derail championship ambitions built on that trademark left hook. The 32-year-old Tiger Muay Thai affiliate enjoyed a strong run following his victory over Yod-IQ, scoring two spectacular stoppage victories within six months. His third-round knockout of former three-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Suakim Sor Jor Tongprajin at ONE Friday Fights 47 showcased that devastating power before stunning Irish standout Stefan Korodi in the opening frame at ONE Fight Night 23.

The momentum didn’t last as Balyko has since dropped three consecutive bouts against elite opposition, creating desperation that makes Friday’s rematch against a familiar opponent crucial for regaining traction. A second victory over the surging Thai would snap his losing streak while positioning him back in conversations about contract recognition, yet he faces an opponent who spent the past fifteen months studying exactly what went wrong during their first encounter.

The weight class change adds another layer of complexity to an already compelling storyline. Yod-IQ moving up from bantamweight to featherweight suggests confidence in his evolution since September 2023, believing his improvements compensate for any physical advantages Balyko might enjoy at the higher weight. Both fighters understand Friday represents more than simple competition — it’s about proving whether growth can overcome past demons or if patterns repeat themselves when facing familiar opposition under championship-level pressure.

The stakes couldn’t be clearer for either man as they prepare to settle unfinished business inside Lumpinee Stadium. Yod-IQ seeks validation that his eight-fight winning streak represents genuine evolution rather than fortunate matchmaking, while Balyko needs proof that his recent struggles reflect temporary adversity instead of permanent decline. Victory pushes one fighter toward contract glory while the other watches championship dreams slip further away, creating the kind of mutual urgency that produces memorable battles regardless of stylistic matchups or technical advantages.

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