By:  | March 16, 2024 9:06 am

Kiamran Nabati beat a top Thai fighter for the second time in a row at ONE Friday Fights 55. He earned a decision win over three round specialist Avatar PKSaenchaigym at Lumpinee Stadium last night.

Nabati was coming off a decision win over Pongsiri PKSaenchaigym. Here he was matched with his teammate Avatar who reached the Road to ONE tournament finals in 2022 but had to withdraw due to a contract issue.

The Russian switched stance and looked to land punches and low kicks in the early exchanges while Avatar circled out. Nabati landed a spinning back kick which didn’t do any damage but sent the Thai flying backwards.

Two knockdowns

Having backtracked for much of the first round Avatar needed to pick up the pace in the second stanza. He started out on the front foot and this time it was Nabati who was feeling the pressure.

Avatar started to land right body kicks and there was a sense that the tide had turned. The fight appeared to be dead even heading into the third but there would be absolutely no disputing the outcome of the final round.

With the fight on the line neither man wanted to take a step backwards and they met in the centre of the ring. Nabati started to catch Avatar’s kicks and counter with punches while his opponent was trapped.

With 30 seconds remaining a straight right caught Avatar and knocked him down. He beat the count but clearly hadn’t recovered and Nabati put him down for a second time with a glancing elbow to effectively seal the deal.

The bell sounded before the count had finished and Nabati was duly declared the winner with all three judges scoring the fight for the Russian.

New contract

It was also a good night for Nabati’s compatriot Natalia Diachkova. She stopped Chellina Chirino in the opening round and earned a multi fight contract offer from ONE Championship and the chance to become a contender in the strawweight division.

ONE Friday Fights 55, Bangkok, March 15th
Kiamran Nabati def. Avatar PKSaenchaigym via Decision (Unanimous)
Rittidet Sor Sommai def. Tomyamkoong Bhumjaithai via KO (Left hook) at 1:25 of R2
Bhumjaithai Mor Tor 1 def. Parnthep VKKhaoyai via TKO (Punches to the body) at 0:16 of R3
Denphuthai SitJackMuayThai def. Rhuam Felipe Morais Caldas via Decision (Unanimous)
Chalarmdan Sor Boonmeerit def. Thailand Singtanawat Nokjeansladkrabang via TKO (Punches) at 1:57 of R3
Kaichon Sor Yingcharoenkarnchang def. Jompadej Nupranburi via Decision (Unanimous)
Stephen Irvine def. Longern Paesaisee via Decision (Unanimous)
Natalia Diachkova def. Chellina Chirino via KO (Punch) at 1:44 of R1
MMA: Matheus Pereira def. Khasan Khaliev via Submission (Guillotine choke) at 3:57 of R3
Kickboxing: Taiki Naito def. Sherzod Kabutov via Decision (Unanimous)
Ryota Koshimizu def. Joker Paesaisee via TKO (Punches) at 0:54 of R3
Submission Grappling: Shoya Ishiguro def. Toshiyasu Sagae via Decision (Unanimous)