Superbon came on strong in the fourth, landing a series of punches and kicks that drew a broad grin from his opponent. He tried to sweep Tawanchai but failed in his attempt to unbalance the champion.
At the start of the fifth Superbon landed an accidental low blow that caused the furiously paced fight to stop momentarily. Tawanchai was using his teep to control the action, repeatedly planting the sole of his foot into his opponent’s midsection.
It left the three judges with a decision to make. They all scored the fight for Tawanchai who extended his winning streak to seven.
In the co-main event Joseph Lasiri faced off against Prajanchai PKSaenchaigym in a rematch of their strawweight Muay Thai title clash, which the Italian won.
Since then Prajanchai has captured the interim title, but the Thai was out for vengeance in this unification bout and he got it, knocking Lasiri out with a perfectly timed elbow in the opening round.
The taller Lasiri had tried to take the fight to his opponent, but by closing the distance he left himself open to counters and an elbow to the face sent the Italian down for the count, with the referee ultimately deciding he was in no fit state to continue.
Prajanchai not only avenged his 2022 loss to Lasiri, he also picked up a US$50,000 bonus in the process.
In the first title fight of the night, Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom handed Anissa Meksen the first loss of her ONE Championship career. The French fighter was competing for the first time this year, while her opponent was looking to make it five wins out of five in 2023.
And although Phetjeeja was fighting in kickboxing for the first time in the interim atomweight title bout, she had no issues with the slightly different ruleset and seized the centre of the ring right from the opening bell.
The Muay Thai veteran constantly pressurised Meksen while landing punches and body kicks, and while her French opponent looked to fight off the back foot, she was overwhelmed by Phetjeeja who took a clear cut decision win.
All three judges awarded the fight to Phetjeeja, who is likely to move on to a unification bout against regular champion Janet Todd.
It was a night of spectacular stoppages at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, with Chatri Sityodtong, the ONE CEO, also handing out six US$10,000 bonuses. Among the big winners was Nico Carrillo, who stopped Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in the second round of their bantamweight fight.
As well as a bonus, Carrillo potentially earned a shot at reigning bantamweight Muay Thai champion Jonathan Haggerty. That all British title fight could take place at ONE 166 in Qatar, based on comments Chatri made earlier this week.
ONE Friday Fights 46
Muay Thai: Tawanchai P.K.Saenchai bt Superbon Banchamek via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Prajanchai PKSaenchaigym bt Joseph Lasiri via KO (Elbow) at 1:28 of R1
Kickboxing: Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom bt Anissa Meksen via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Nico Carrillo bt Nong-O Gaiyanghadao via KO (Elbow) at 1:28 of R2
Muay Thai: Saeksan Or Kwanmuang bt River Daz via Decision (Split)
Muay Thai: Nabil Anane bt Muangthai PKSaenchaigym via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek-U-Thai bt Fariya Aminipour via KO (Punch to the body) at 2:51 of R1
Muay Thai: Jawsuayai Sor Dechaphan bt Phetsukumvit Boybangna via Decision (Majority)
Muay Thai: Suablack Tor Pran49 bt Craig Coakley via KO (Punch to the body) at 2:15 of R1
Muay Thai: Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi bt Eisaku Ogasawara via KO (Punch) at 0:57 of R2
Muay Thai: Suriyanlek Por Yenying bt Yodkritsada Sor Sommai via KO (Punch) at 0:15 of R2
