Former three-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai world champion Suakim Pongsuphan PK of Thailand is not thinking about title shots or rankings on Friday. He is thinking about one result and what it would mean to him personally.
Suakim faces former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nabil Anane in the main event of The Inner Circle 25 on Friday at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
The 30-year-old veteran is sporting the best form of his career, with a division-best seven-fight winning streak. However, Anane is a massive step up in competition. The former world champion boasts an intimidating 6-foot-4 frame and is hungry to reclaim his lost throne.
Suakim enters as the underdog in nearly every measurable category. But none of those has dampened what a win would mean to him.
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“This win would be massive — probably the most important victory of my life,” he told ONE Championship. “It’s not even about getting a title shot or a ranking. Just beating Nabil would be huge on its own. That would feel amazing.”
The PK Saenchai Muaythaigym product added:
“(He can expect) a heart that refuses to lose, walking forward and grinding it out against him. I’m a huge underdog in size and height, but in the ring, I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”
Suakim backs his power to overcome Nabil Anane’s length
The size gap is real. But Suakim’s belief in the equalizing power of a clean, well-placed shot has not wavered.
The Thai heavy-hitter has the punching credentials to back that belief up, and he is banking on landing it when it matters most.
“I believe my strikes are heavy. If a shot lands clean, no matter whose punch it is, anyone can get hurt or go down. I just need that punch to hit the target square on,” he told the promotion.
Fans can watch the main event live by purchasing The Inner Circle at live.onefc.com.
Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein