The Thai superstars showed equal respect for one another’s skills and power in the very beginning, but soon, Tawanchai pulled ahead with sharp teeps, fierce low kicks, and stinging left hands. Action picked up in the third round, with Tawanchai and Petchmorakot both hunting for a knockout. In a heated fourth round, Petchmorakot rallied, as he sent the challenger reeling across the circle. The final three minutes were close, with Petchmorakot seeming sure to have gotten the nod on the judge's scorecards, but Tawanchai's signature kicks and left punches separated the two men, prompting the judges to award him with the ONE Championship gold.
Reigning ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia made quick work of Brazilian veteran Guto Inocente in their ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix semifinal bout. Kryklia connected with an explosive right hand in the opening minute that dropped Inocente. Although the Brazilian beat the referee’s eight-count, Kryklia followed up with a right roundhouse kick to the head that ended matters early. The knockout performance earned the Ukrainian superstar his 12th straight victory overall and a US$50,000 bonus.
In the other semifinal matchup, Iranian slugger Iraj Azizpour dominated ONE Championship newcomer Bruno Chaves to reach the ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final. Azizpour kept a constant attack on Chaves from the opening bell, bringing the fight to the Brazilian at every opportunity. Although Chaves was able to weather the early storm, Azizpour’s overwhelming pressure proved too much, as he took home a unanimous decision win. Next, the Iranian will face longtime foe Kryklia in a trilogy fight for the tournament’s silver belt.
