Pongsiri Wants To Slay Giant, Rematch Former Rival

In his ONE Championship debut this past February, Pongsiri PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym took on Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy for the inaugural ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.

Although he had just under a week to prepare for the bout, Pongsiri put forth a valiant effort but succumbed to his better-conditioned rival.

With a full training camp behind him, the PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym representative will now look to showcase what he’s really capable of in his sophomore appearance against Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy at ONE: NO SURRENDER II in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, 14 August.

Before the action kicks off in Thailand’s capital, Pongsiri breaks down his much taller opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

“He is a big boxer,” Pongsiri said about the man with the 11-centimeter height advantage. “He is very skillful and has a defensive style. His main weapon will be his kicks.

“He is taller than me, so he can use this as part of his advantage for high kicking, and I must be aware of that. Also, I must be aware when I approach him because his elbow strikes can hit my head easily.”

Pongsiri knows he also has to watch out for Sorgraw’s sky-piercing knees, which, come 14 August, will be sharpened to perfection.

“[I think he will use] his jab, kicks, and maybe knee techniques,” he continued. “Maybe the flying knee because he is taller than me, and my style needs to approach him first. So, he could use this to counter my style.”

Against the taller Petchyindee Academy representative, what will Pongsiri’s style be?

“My fighting style is aggressive – it’s a never-back-down style. I have kicks and elbows as my trump cards,” he said.

“My kicking can stop my competitors, and my elbows can cause damage. They should be afraid of it.”

If he does manage to defeat Sorgraw on 14 August, it could set him up for a rematch with Petchmorakot. And if that happens, Pongsiri promises that he will step into the Circle as a man with a purpose.

“If I win this fight, I will be ready for the belt. I need it,” Pongsiri said. “I need it as the glory for myself, for the camp, and for Thailand.”

Watch Pongsiri and Sorgraw battle at ONE: NO SURRENDER PART II on 14 August in Bangkok, Thailand.