ONE: ‘No Surrender’ Part II took place in Bangkok tonight. There were two MMA fights on the card at Impact Arena and a promotional newcomer made a big impact in one of them.
Yodkaikaew Fairtex was making a ONE Championship debut but would surely not have been offered the opportunity to compete on this stage had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic. He more than made the most of it, registering a stoppage win against the previously undefeated John Shink.
Yodkaikaew has been in with some of China’s best bantamweights and flyweights. He already holds a win over one of Tiger Muay Thai’s best prospects, beating future Rizin star Topnoi Tigermuaythai back in 2016.
Even affair
The first round was an even affair with both men trading low kicks and punches. Shink shot for an early takedown and found himself in side control. Yodkaikaew is a veteran of over 100 Muay Thai fights but was able to escape and work his way back up again.
The Thai shrugged off another takedown attempt and looked to land a knee to the midsection as the clapper sounded. There was nothing to choose between the two fighters at this stage but the second stanza would bring much more drama.
Real threat
Shink completed a single leg takedown early in the round but again was unable to keep Yodkaikaew down. Back on his feet the Thai landed a left hook at very short range which sent the Nigerian born fighter staggering back.
Yodkaikaew smelled blood and quickly followed up with a right hand. Shink was on wobbly legs and a straight left finished the job, handing the Thai his first victory since 2017.
Yodkaikaew improves to 5-2-1 and having been thrown in with a high level of opposition so early in his career he looks set to be a real threat in ONE Championship’s flyweight division. Shink drops to 3-1 after tasting defeat for the first time.
Best of the rest
It wasn’t such a good night for Thai strawweight Pongsiri Mitsatit (10-6). He faced Akihiro Fujisawa (6-3) in a catchweight contest between two fighters looking to snap three fight losing skids.
Fujisawa would ultimately hand Mitsatit the most damaging defeat of his career. The 40 year old knocked out the Thai with a left hook late in the opening round.
In Muay Thai action Saemapetch Fairtex beat Rodlek PKSaenchaigym by decision to book himself a spot in the final of the ongoing bantamweight Grand Prix. He will face either Sangmanee Sathiangym or Kulabdam SorJorPiekUThai, that fight headlines ONE: ‘No Surrender’ Part III next Friday.
ONE: ‘No Surrender’ Part II, Bangkok, August 14th
Muay Thai: Saemapetch Fairtex def. Rodlek PKSaenchaigym by Decision (Unanimous)
Kickboxing: Mehdi Zatout def. Leo Pinto by Decision (Unanimous)
Akihiro Fujisawa def. Pongsiri Mitsatit by KO (Punch)
Muay Thai: Sorgraw PetchyindeeAcademy def. Pongsiri PKSaenchaigym by Decision (Split)
Yodkaikaew Fairtex def. John Shink by KO (Punches)
Muay Thai: Fahdi Khaled def. Huang Ding via Decision (Unanimous)
