Some athletes may second-guess themselves before competing in a new martial art at a blockbuster event like ONE: IMMORTAL TRIUMPH – but not Panpayak “The Angel Warrior” Jitmuangnon.
On Friday, 6 September, “The Angel Warrior” descended on fans in Ho Chi Minh City to take on Masahide “Crazy Rabbit” Kudo in his flyweight kickboxing debut.
After three rounds, the five-time Muay Thai World Champion had his hand raised after the ONE Super Series duel ended.
“I was tired in round three because I threw more in these three rounds than I usually do in five rounds of fighting in Thailand,” the 23-year-old Thai striker said.
“Plus, the environment and the excitement made me more tired than usual. But he didn’t hit me with anything major, and I felt comfortable for the whole of the fight.”
Panpayak’s technique and raw power were too much for his Japanese opponent – a RISE Featherweight Champion.
Even though he competed in a new discipline, the Samut Prakan native knew his experience would help against a skilled kickboxer like “Crazy Rabbit.”
“I watched my opponent before and was confident about this match-up. Even fighting kickboxing, I knew my experience would be too much for him,” he said.
“There was a little pressure. I saw how impressed people were with Rodtang [Jitmuangnon]’s last performance, and I wanted that too.”
“I wanted to bring that type of excitement to the promotion, the fans, and to my gym.”
With the win, the Thai warrior has eyes on a ONE Super Series World Title.
However, he refused to think about a potential bout against Rodtang for his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship.
“Rodtang is my little brother,” Panpayak said. “I can’t fight him for a World Title. My sights are on the kickboxing World Title. I think I can do it.”
ONE Championship travels to Tokyo, Japan next for ONE: CENTURY on Sunday, 13 October.
ONE: CENTURY is the single biggest World Championship martial arts event in history with 28 World Champions featured across various martial arts. No organization in history has ever thrown two full-scale World Championship events on the same day.
Video link #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er6i-RNYRNw
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