At ONE Friday Fights 22, Prajanchai PK Saenchai made sure that there was no room for debate in his second meeting against Sam-A Gaiyanghadao in ONE Championship. When the two first met, Prajanchai picked up a narrow majority decision win to take the divisional crown. But it was a match where the PK Saenchai athlete did not feel he performed up to his best abilities.
Prajanchai Eyes ONE Strawweight Muy Thai Unification Bout after ONE Friday Fights 22 Victory
“Yes, of course, it was different because the first time I met Sam-A was also the first time [I fought in] ONE Championship. I was very excited and nervous, so my game plan was not really organized as I wanted it to be. So yeah, today was a very good fight, I would say,” Prajanchai told ONE.
With the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title on the line, Prajanchai figured out Sam-A early and sent him to the canvas with a dagger of a left hand. When Sam-A arose, the Thai star knew he had his fellow countryman on the ropes. He turned up the aggressiveness and eventually made Sam-A face plant off of a crushing right elbow.
“I did not expect it to end this quickly. But I’m happy to get the KO because, you know, there’s no score, and it doesn’t allow people to raise doubts over my victory. So I’m happy it ended this way,” Prajanchai stated.
The emphatic win made him $50,000 richer. The 28-year-old collected the performance bonus for his knockout and also carried the gold belt over his shoulder as he exited the ring. A new distinction that puts him on a collision course with a familiar face.
Joseph Lasiri was the man to dethrone Prajanchai off the strawweight mountain in May 2022. With the interim title, Prajanchai is chomping at the bit to exact some revenge with a unification bout. And he wants the matchup as soon as possible.
“Well, the first thing I want to say to Lasiri is I wouldn’t take too long because I would just have to go back to training, just heal my physical injuries, and then, I would be ready. I just don’t understand what’s the real reason behind him not defending his belt today. But, yeah, I’m really eager to meet him,” Prajanchai said.
That is what the Thai star wants more than anything. But even as the interim champion, he is ready for all comers. Whether the unification match is next for Prajanchai or not, his performance in Bangkok sent a stark warning to strawweights around the globe.
