Kongthoranee Turns To Kickboxing To End A Four-Fight Skid At The Inner Circle 32
Kongthoranee Sor Sommai opened his ONE Championship run with 11 wins in his first 13 outings. Four straight defeats later, the three-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion has picked an entirely new rule set to turn things around.
The 29-year-old makes his kickboxing debut against Chinese standout Yuan Pengjie, who is 2-0 in ONE, in the flyweight co-main event of The Inner Circle 32 on Friday, September 25. Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium hosts the Asia primetime card, available only to subscribers at live.onefc.com.
He insists the skid has not rattled him.
“Being on a four-fight losing streak hasn’t really affected me too much mentally. Losing is just part of the sport. As long as I give it everything I’ve got, that’s what matters,” Kongthoranee said.
“Personally, I’m just pushing myself as hard as I can right now to do whatever it takes to get back in the win column. I’ve gone back and rewatched my performances, and I’m actively working to fix those gaps and sharpen my skills.”
The Sor Sommai representative has also found a model for the switch in reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty. The British star has gone 3-0 in the discipline since crossing over.
“I’ve been studying Jonathan Haggerty’s style. He’s super fast and switches up his weapons seamlessly. I’ve been watching tape on him and trying to incorporate those elements into my own game,” Kongthoranee said.
“I have a much clearer understanding of what I need to do inside the ring now. I believe kickboxing demands way more speed and mobility than Muay Thai.”
Fans have long criticized his lack of combinations, so he has drilled heavy volume work to answer them. Word has also reached his camp that Yuan views this fight as a stepping stone toward a ONE contract, and the Thai veteran has no intention of cooperating.
“Beating Yuan Pengjie would mean the world to me. Getting that win back is something I’ve been waiting for a long time, and I hope it serves as the ultimate turning point for my career,” he said.
“I know he wants to beat me to get that ONE contract, but there is no way I’m letting that happen. I won’t make it easy for him. He’s not getting through me that easily.”
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