Muay Thai Champ Predicts War, Vows to Reclaim Kickboxing Crown

Reigning ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion Regian Eersel has shared his detailed prediction for his upcoming clash with Thai veteran Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong.

The Dutch-Surinamese titleholder headlines The Inner Circle on Friday, April 10, in a five-round fight broadcast live on live.onefc.com, with the vacant ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Championship on the line.

Regian Eersel is arguably the most accomplished athlete ONE Championship has produced in its heavier weight divisions. The 33-year-old holds a 13-1 ONE record and ten ONE World Championships, having won both the inaugural ONE Lightweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Titles in the promotion.

He lost his kickboxing crown on the scale rather than inside the ring a year ago, and April 10 represents his chance to reclaim what he believes still belongs to him.

Regian Eersel Prepared for Every Weapon in Rungrawee’s Arsenal

Regian Eersel has not left anything to chance in his preparation for “Legatron.” The 10-time ONE World Champion has broken down Rungrawee’s offensive game in detail, anticipating the full range of kicks the Thai striker is likely to deploy across five rounds and training specifically to handle each of them.

“I anticipate everything. Leg kicks, calf kicks, kicks on my right leg because he stands southpaw, kicks on the inside leg. So, I’m training for everything. I think he’s going to kick a lot. I think he’s going to use a mix – one punch, one kick, two punches, one kick, two kicks, stuff like that,” Regian Eersel said.

Regian Eersel’s 64-5 career record has been built against some of the finest strikers in the sport, and his ability to adapt to different styles has been a consistent feature of his championship runs.

Regian Eersel Expects a Full Five-Round Battle with Rungrawee

Despite his finishing ability and vast experience, Eersel has set his mental preparation around the possibility of going the full distance against Rungrawee.

“In my mind, I always think we’re going to fight five rounds. Always. I’m not going to think, ‘Oh, I’m going to beat him in the first round or the second round.’ No. If I see the opening, I will go for it, of course. But I don’t expect a knockout. I expect a full five-round war, a technical war between me and Rungrawee,” he explained.

Rungrawee is no ordinary challenger. The 30-year-old Thai veteran known as “Legatron” carries a 158-48 striking record and a 6-2 ONE mark, built on the kind of devastating leg kick arsenal that has given every opponent he has faced serious problems.

Former Two-Sport Champion Declares the King is Back

Regian Eersel’s motivation for the April 10 fight extends beyond simply adding another World Title to his collection. The former ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion lost his crown on the scale, a result that left the title vacant without a finish inside the ring.

“It’s going to be very explosive, and you’re going to watch me reclaim my kickboxing title back. Then I’m going to say: the king is back,” he declared.

Eersel won both the inaugural ONE Lightweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Titles in the promotion, a distinction that places him in rare company in ONE Championship history. Adding the kickboxing gold back to his current Muay Thai reign would restore a two-sport status.

Watch The Inner Circle exclusively on http://live.onefc.com beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT.