“There Is No Way I Will Let Go of My Number One Spot” – Saemapetch Fairtex Sends Rittewada Petchyindee Academy a Stern Warning

Published 11/06/2021, 6:25 AM EDT

Follow Us

Saemapetch Fairtex has challenged Rittewada Petchyindee Academy to try and take his #1 contender spot in the bantamweight Muay Thai division. The Thai warriors face off in the main event of ONE: NEXTGEN II on Friday, 12 November.

The Fairtex athlete, who had to earn his spot by defeating several big names in ONE Super Series over the past years, isn’t prepared to throw away what he has rightfully earned. Despite facing off against a compatriot, Saemapetch held nothing back.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“Rittewada, you want my ranking, don’t you? You want to be number one? I won’t let you have it. There is no way I will let go of it,” the Muay Thai star warned.

“I don’t want anyone to snatch [my ranking] away from me. I’ll try my best to keep it.”

“The Stamp BEEN Made” – Arjan Bhullar Hits Back at Conor McGregor for Overlooking Him

How crucial is it for Saemapetch Fairtex to win against Rittewada Petchyindee Academy?

Ever since he signed with the promotion’s striking division, the Chiang Mai native has made his intentions known to the world – he wants to be a ONE World Champion.

He defeated Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov and Ognjen Topic to earn his first shot at ONE gold. Unfortunately for him, things did not go as planned when he entered the Circle to compete for the strap. Saemapetch was knocked out by reigning bantamweight Muay Thai king Nong-O Gaiyanghadao at ONE: EDGE OF GREATNESS in November 2019.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Much has changed since that defeat to the Evolve MMA star, though. The Muay Thai specialist secured a pivotal decision win over #2 contender Rodlek P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym last August. He then knocked out “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai inside the opening frame at ONE: FULL BLAST in May this year.

“This is a risky fight because Rittewada has just entered [ONE Super Series], and I am ranked number one. If I lose in this match, I’d lose my ranked position,” he said.

“Am I nervous? I am. If I lose, I won’t be able to get a rematch with Nong-O. I’ll need to climb up the rankings again. This match is very important. I need to win.”

What would a win against Rittewada mean for Saemapetch?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

A victory against Rittewada should get him closer towards his ambition of winning the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.

And if Saemapetch finds himself in the driver’s seat once again, he knows he will be better prepared this time around.

“In my last match against Kulabdam, you could see how I had improved in terms of speed and power. I was able to knock him out,” he stated.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“In this upcoming fight, I’ll try my best to do that again. Because if I win, I will be able to have a rematch with Nong-O. I want to have the chance to win the World Championship again.”

Stamp Fairtex Set to Face Ritu Phogat In the Atomweight Grand Prix Final after a UD Win Over Julie Mezabarba at ONE Next Get

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Arman Khan

258Articles

One take at a time

Arman Khan is a UFC author for EssentiallySports. He began following combat sports when Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor competed in 'The Money Fight' in 2017. 'The Notorious' attracted Arman to the UFC, and he became an ardent fan of professional fighting as he could draw parallels with the action from his combat sports experience and break down techniques such as striking and striking defense lucidly for the casual fans.
Show More>