Iranian striking sensation Mohammad Siasarani achieved the breakthrough moment of his career, as he authored a second-round knockout of former ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title challenger “Smokin'” Jo Nattawut at ONE Friday Fights 137 on Friday, December 19, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 23-year-old Team Mehdi Zatout product overcame a difficult opening round to land a perfectly timed one-two combination at the 1:39 mark that crumpled the Thai veteran and secured the coveted US$100,000 contract with ONE Championship’s global roster.
That knockout performance validated nearly two years of patience and persistence on the ONE Friday Fights platform, and now, Mohammad Siasarani is eager to showcase his skills against the promotion’s top names in the featherweight Muay Thai and kickboxing divisions.
Mohammad Siasarani Recounts Knockout at ONE Friday Fights 137
The opening frame belonged entirely to the Thai veteran, who rocked Mohammad Siasarani with a right hand. Nattawut appeared moments away from securing another impressive knockout victory, nearly shattering the Iranian’s dreams of joining ONE Championship’s global roster.
Once the bell rang to conclude round one, head coach and former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title challenger Mehdi Zatout advised his pupil to make critical adjustments that would completely shift the fight’s momentum. Siasarani executed them immediately when the next stanza began.
“In the first round, I admit I misjudged the distance a bit, which led to me getting hit and being slightly dazed. But when I got back to the corner, my coach told me to change my guard and focus more on my punches. When I entered the second round, I immediately changed my plan, pressing forward with punches until I was able to knock him out,” Mohammad Siasarani said.
The rapid turnaround demonstrated the importance of having an experienced corner capable of identifying tactical solutions under pressure. Mohammad Siasarani’s willingness to completely abandon his original strategy at ONE Friday Fights 137 separated him from fighters who stubbornly refuse to adapt when their initial game plans fail.
The Moment Mohammad Siasarani Has Been Waiting For
This was a big moment for the Iranian. Since making his debut on ONE Friday Fights in January 2023, Mohammad Siasarani defeated the likes of Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, Mohammed Boutasaa, and Kaito Ono, all established champions. He even beat Liu Mengyang, who would later shock the world by stopping Tawanchai PK Saenchai in the ONE Friday Fights 137 main event.
Finishing Nattawut, however, was even more telling. In fact, it’s something not even Tawanchai has been able to accomplish. By knocking him out, Siasarani proved he had the power and skills to compete with anyone currently on ONE Championship’s global roster and that he was deserving of the spotlight.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. My whole team, family, and everyone around me have been waiting for this. I’m so happy to have accomplished this, and this is just the beginning of my journey in this major promotion,” Siasarani said.
The patient approach proved essential to Siasarani’s development despite the frustration of watching others receive contracts while he continued grinding. His willingness to build a comprehensive résumé demonstrates the professional maturity that separates fighters destined for championship glory from those who flame out quickly.
Iranian Contender Ready For Everyone, Except Tawanchai
Fresh off his contract win at ONE Friday Fights 137, Mohammad Siasarani has several names he can now face at ONE Championship’s numbered events or even at future installments of ONE Fight Night. In fact, reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon Singha Mawynn, Masaaki Noiri, Marat Grigorian, and Rukiya Anpo all represent intriguing challenges.
However, there is one name that he won’t be standing across the ring from anytime soon – and that name is Tawanchai PK Saenchai, the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion. They have forged a strong bond, so that potential fight remains off the table.
“I’m ready to face anyone in the featherweight division. As for Tawanchai, he’s like a big brother that I really respect, so I want to focus on hunting the kickboxing belt first. After that, we can talk about the Muay Thai belt,” Siasarani said.
The decision to prioritize kickboxing gold reflects strategic thinking beyond simple callouts. Siasarani’s approach allows him to chase the throne while maintaining his friendship with Tawanchai.
