Kongchai Done Leaving It To The Judges, Targets Finish At ONE Friday Fights 148
Kongchai Chanaidonmueang has spent years being one of the most dependable fighters at ONE Friday Fights. Ten victories, more appearances in the weekly series than almost anyone else on the roster, a 76-16 professional record, and a former Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Championship to his name.
He still does not have a contract.
That changes — or it doesn’t — on March 27 when the 23-year-old southpaw headlines ONE Friday Fights 148 against Iranian slugger Mehrdad Khanzadeh in a strawweight Muay Thai main event at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
The bout was originally scheduled for ONE Friday Fights 146 before Khanzadeh fell ill, giving Kongchai additional time in the gym. He has used it to add a specific weapon to his arsenal, and he is not shy about why.
His last outing, a unanimous decision win over Myanmar’s Thway Lin Htet at ONE Friday Fights 140, left him frustrated despite the victory. He had his opponent hurt in the third round, clearly rocking him on multiple occasions, and still could not convert.
“It’s a shame I couldn’t close the show,” he said. “There were two or three clear openings where he was visibly rocked, especially in the third round where he was hurting bad, but I just couldn’t put him away.”
Khanzadeh demands a different kind of vigilance. The Sor Dechapan-trained Iranian puncher fought back from a first-round knockdown to claim a split-decision win at ONE Friday Fights 125, and his heavy hands present a legitimate threat to any opponent who takes him lightly in close quarters.
Kongchai has not taken him lightly. He has watched the tape, identified the danger, and spent his extended camp sharpening his boxing to match it.
“His hands are dangerous, so I’ve been training hard to stay alert and keep my guard up,” he said. “I can’t just rely on my kicks. I’ve been working a lot on my boxing to match him — kicks and punches together.”
The motivation runs deeper than just the fight itself. His Tor Sangtiennoi gym teammate Suriyanlek Por Yenying’s recent victory at ONE Friday Fights 147 hit differently. Watching a training partner succeed on the same stage where Kongchai has been knocking on the door lit a fire that he intends to carry into this weekend.
“I really want the finish this time, using everything in my arsenal,” he said.
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