Tawanchai PK Saenchai, the reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion, is set to make his return to kickboxing after a hiatus, seeking redemption in the process. The 26-year-old Thai fighter will face Liu Mengyang of China in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19, which marks the promotion’s final event of 2025.
Tawanchai’s last outing was in March at ONE 172, where he suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of former interim ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion Masaaki Noiri. Since then, he has been nursing injuries and has also started a family. Now fully recovered and more determined than ever, Tawanchai is eager to showcase his skills in top condition against Liu, also known as “Spirit Dragon.”
During the ONE Media Day Thailand press conference, Tawanchai shared his preparation for the upcoming fight, stating, “My preparation has been very good, totaling almost three months. I am absolutely ready to fight at full capacity.” He also expressed his gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support, saying he owes them for sticking with him through his struggles.
Liu Mengyang, on the other hand, presents a formidable challenge, having defeated Noiri by unanimous decision earlier this year. The Chinese star is on a high note, coming off a win against Shadow Singha Mawynn in his last outing, and will look to earn a title shot at Tawanchai’s expense.
Tawanchai is determined to make a statement in his return to form, vowing to finish the fight with an explosive performance. He said, “I will be showing ‘Tawanchai’ in 100 percent kickboxing form. No need to over-adjust; I’ll just go in with the skills I have. The match has a good chance of ending early [and not going the distance], but it depends on which side it happens to.”
ONE Friday Fights 137 can be watched for free on watch.onefc.com and ONE Championship’s Facebook and YouTube channels. The event promises to be an exciting conclusion to the promotion’s 2025 calendar, with Tawanchai’s return to kickboxing being a highly anticipated highlight.