How Yod-IQ’s Daily Drilling Turned Into Life-Changing Knockout and Six-Figure Contract
The high right kick Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri threw at 2:06 of the opening round didn’t arrive by chance. The 23-year-old Thai sensation had drilled that exact attack twice daily at PK Saenchai Muaythaigym alongside Ajarn Chanwit, Sia Khaek, and featherweight king Tawanchai PK Saenchai until the movement became pure instinct.
Morning sessions, evening sessions, relentless repetition until his body knew exactly what to do when the opening appeared. When Alexey Balyko’s lights shut off at ONE Friday Fights 137 inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on December 19, the thunderous strike didn’t just settle an old score from their first meeting — it earned Yod-IQ a life-changing US$100,000 contract to compete on ONE Championship’s main roster.
“That neck kick, I drilled it with Ajarn Chanwit, Sia Khaek, and [Tawanchai] [PK Saenchai] every single day. Morning and evening, we trained like this until it became instinct,” Yod-IQ said. “Even though I didn’t know when I’d get the timing to kick, we had to prepare it beforehand. When the real moment came, it came out naturally. I prayed in my heart that he wouldn’t get up because I really wanted to finish the fight.”
That prayer was answered as the Russian stalwart collapsed in the featherweight Muay Thai rematch inside the iconic venue. The highlight-reel victory improved Yod-IQ’s slate to 126-36 while extending his winning streak to nine, but the vindication of revenge completed paled compared to what happened next. Color commentator Mitch Chilson announced that ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong had awarded him the coveted six-figure contract, transforming years of grinding through ONE Friday Fights into legitimate world title contention.
“The moment they announced I got the contract, I screamed because, as I said, at first I didn’t dare to hope. I didn’t think the boss would surprise me like this,” he said. “I’m very ready. I’ve been ready to seize this opportunity for a long time, and I have to thank all the fans who were an important part in helping to voice their support until I received this contract.”
Having grinded through 12 assignments on ONE Friday Fights with 11 victories, the PK Saenchai Muaythaigym warrior now sets his sights on Nabil Anane’s ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.
Training alongside Tawanchai has provided invaluable insight into what reaching championship level requires, but Yod-IQ maintains clear boundaries about his path forward — he only wants to face foreign fighters, refusing matchups against fellow Thai competitors.
His immediate focus lands on dream fights against Abdulla Dayakaev and Jonathan Haggerty, stylistic tests that would build the resume necessary to challenge for gold while employing the same patient, strategic approach that carried him this far.
“Right now, I want to focus on one fight at a time and continuously develop myself because in the major promotion, there are only skilled fighters. The opponents I’m especially watching are old rivals like Abdulla Dayakaev and Jonathan Haggerty,” he said.
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