Mohamed Younes Rabah Aiming for the Chin of Saemapetch Fairtex Before Their Rematch on February 16

Published 02/15/2024, 12:05 PM EST

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Mohamed Younes Rabah believes he has the tools to score a second finish when he meets a familiar foe this weekend.

“The Eagle” will rematch Saemapetch Fairtex in bantamweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 19: Haggerty vs. Lobo on Friday, February 16, inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and he’s seeking the same result as their first encounter. 

Mohamed Younes Rabah has a game plan for Saemapetch

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The pair met at ONE Fight Night 17 last December, with Rabah stepping in to face the Thai veteran at the last minute. Despite the short notice, the then-ONE Championship debutant showed ultimate grit and shocked the world by knocking out Saemapetch in the opening round. 

Rabah may have only got a few short minutes in the ring with the former ONE World Title challenger, but he feels he assessed his fight approach pretty well in that time. And now, the unbeaten 26-year-old is ready to take advantage of what he learned.

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“Saemapetch has got a solid left hand, and he times it pretty effectively. To deal with that, I’ve been focusing on utilizing angles and constantly moving to his right to disrupt his rhythm and neutralize his strengths,” he said.

Read More: “I Don’t See Her as a Striker Only”- Mom Champ Angela Lee Dismisses Striker vs Grappler Narrative Against Stamp Fairtex at ONE: X

“I believe my biggest advantage in this fight lies in my mental strength. On a technical level, I have the height and reach advantage. I can control the distance in this fight, and when it comes to close range, that dog in me is always ready for a war.” 

“The Eagle” unfazed by the previous controversy regarding the knockout

“The Eagle” may have scored a decisive finish before the end of the first round in their first matchup, but it came with some controversy after he appeared to land a late knee on his foe as he was on his way to the canvas.

Some, including Saemapetch, still protest the win, so the Algerian striker wants to leave no stone unturned in their rematch.

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Of course, Saemapetch will enter the ring determined to show that he is still a force in the bantamweight Muay Thai ranks. In fact, the Fairtex product specifically requested the rematch.

Rabah remains unfazed by this, however, as he says he’s already seen through his opponent.

“I can see many holes in his game. He has a tendency of dropping his hands, which will get him in trouble against someone like me. Additionally, his overall defense seems lacking, and he has a soft chin that I can crack,” he said.

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Read More: “I Can’t Wait to Prove People Wrong” – Mom Champ Angela Lee Ready to Break Stereotypes Against Stamp Fairtex at ONE: X

 

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Written by:

Anirban Chatterjee

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Anirban Chatterjee is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. Anirban holds an MBA in Sports Management and is an athlete himself. After stints in notable organizations as a professional writer, Anirban pivoted to covering UFC, ONE Championship, and other premiere MMA promoters.
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Edited by:

Anuj Jacob