Controversial split decisions and heartbreaking setbacks have derailed Zhang Peimian’s momentum since his ONE World Title challenge, yet the 22-year-old Chinese phenom refuses to dwell on circumstances beyond his control.

On Friday, December 19, he faces charismatic Thai striker Thongpoon PK Saenchai in a strawweight kickboxing showdown at ONE Friday Fights 137: Tawanchai vs. Liu inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Asia primetime, where victory would snap his two-fight skid and reestablish his credentials as one of the division’s most dangerous contenders.

Zhang’s recent struggles stand in stark contrast to the meteoric rise that made him one of China’s most exciting prospects. After winning the 2021 Road to ONE: China tournament to earn his main roster contract, the young striker reeled off two victories before challenging Jonathan Di Bella for the vacant ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title. Although he gave the Canadian-Italian a tough five-round battle, Zhang came up short in his first championship bid.

Since that heartbreaking setback, Zhang has dropped decisions to Muay Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao and suffered a pair of split decision losses to European Kickboxing Champion Rui Botelho. Their most recent encounter proved particularly frustrating for the Chinese striker, who believed his forward pressure and aggression clearly deserved victory over an opponent who retreated throughout three rounds.

“It was just another fight of my career, I think I did well and executed our game plan, it just wasn’t going our way,” Zhang said. “I know I was the winner, the judge might not agree with it but I’m the one who pushed forward for three rounds and he was the one running, not to say how many negative actions he performed, and he clinched and hugged me way beyond the scope of rules.”

Despite the frustration, Zhang maintains his singular focus on improvement and forward momentum rather than dwelling on controversial decisions that won’t help him climb back into contention. His 18-5 career record includes four victories in the world’s largest martial arts organization, proof that he belongs among the division’s elite when judges see what he sees inside the ring.

“I take every single fight of my career as the most important fight, and I will spare no effort to keep moving,” he said.

The matchup with Thongpoon presents a fresh challenge against an opponent making his promotional kickboxing debut after competing exclusively in Muay Thai under the ONE banner. The 28-year-old Thai striker brings a 5-3 ONE record into the bout and will be equally motivated to bounce back from a knockout loss this past April, creating mutual urgency that promises fireworks inside Lumpinee Stadium.

Zhang recognizes the danger his opponent presents, particularly the explosive power that has made Thongpoon a fan favorite throughout his career. Yet that explosive capability doesn’t concern the Chinese phenom — it excites him. He’s built his reputation on an aggressive, fan-friendly style that prioritizes forward pressure and heavy striking, and facing a Thai striker with devastating power creates exactly the type of exciting clash he relishes most.

“Thongpoon is a great fighter, a very fun fighter to watch, he’s got devastating power in his hand, I believe this is going to be one of the most exciting fights of the night,” Zhang said. “These Muay Thai-based athletes are hard as a rock, I love fighting them, they might not be the smoothest like those boxers or Japanese, but when they hit, they hit so hard, and I’m very impressed how crazy they can take hits, especially the Thais, and it always makes the fight fun to watch.”

Zhang will press forward from the opening bell searching for the knockout finish that could emphatically end his losing streak, yet he maintains realistic expectations about how the fight might unfold given both fighters’ durability and similar forward-marching styles.

“I will do what I always do, pressing forward, hit hard, looking for a finish, and give the fans what they expected on Zhang Peimian as always,” he said. “Although we both like to march forward but I kind of feel like this is going to be a fight that ends by decision, since we are both hard to be finished.”

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