ONE Friday Fights 22: Thai Kickboxing Legend Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong Returns

ONE Championship's "Friday Fights" series continues to get better with every passing week, but the promotion will offer one of its biggest show yet at ONE Friday Fights 22 on 23 June.

Featured on the stacked card later this month at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, is the return of Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, who meets American dynamo Eddie Abasolo in an explosive featherweight Muay Thai tussle.

The clash marks the legendary Thai superstar's first bout in 2023, as "Killer Kid" from the Sitsongpeenong Muay Thai gym looks to put together back-to-back wins for the first time since 2021.

Sitthichai was last seen at ONE on Prime Video 3 last October against Dutch-Moroccan prodigy Mohammed Boutasaa, and the Thai legend managed to dispatch the hungry lion by unanimous decision to gain the pivotal win.

Boutasaa came for the head of the striking legend, but Sitthichai's in-ring expertise saw him pick apart the younger athlete over the course of three rounds. Now he faces another eager battler ready to make something of himself in Abasolo.

Sitthichai will be looking to stamp his mark again as the #2-ranked featherweight Muay Thai combatant, but the American will be gunning for his spot when they meet in the Thai legend's backyard.

When Abasolo debuted in ONE, his arrival excited combat sports fans as one of the most highly anticipated signings of the year. His inaugural performance against Britain's Liam Nolan didn't go to plan when he lost but unanimous decision, but "Silky Smooth" redeemed himself soon after.

With a statement-making win feeling very necessary, the Californian met Muay Thai veteran Niclas Larsen at ONE Fight Night 8 this past March and showcased a striking masterclass en route to a second-round stoppage over the Danish dueller.

Satisfied with showing a whole new fan base his tussling pedigree, Abasolo is on the hunt for another legend's scalp, and as the only American on the card, he's well aware that it won't be easy to manage in front of the Bangkokian's faithful fans at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

The tentpole event on Friday, 23 June, is one that cannot to be missed and will play host to an array of elite Muay Thai and mixed martial arts action.

Among the litany of combat sports, the night will also see the heavyweight division settle its long-standing rivalry when ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan Bhullar defends his crown against interim heavyweight king Anatoly Malykhin.

Then, decorated Thai striker Prajanchai PK Saenchai faces former two-sport ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title - a title in which they both once held.

Source: Media Release