“I feel like I held back a little bit,” Tawanchai told reporters backstage during a media scrum. “I want it to be a bit more smooth fighting in kickboxing rules, also a bit more relaxed – I was a bit stiff.
“Hopefully I can improve myself in kickboxing. In the future I have to learn more about the kickboxing rules.
“I thought that I would have the advantage, because I’ve been fighting many fights but I know that Jo Nattawut is a very strong fighter as well.
“I believe I’m a better fighter, but in kickboxing Jo is a better fighter and overall I need to work on that.”
ONE Fight Night 15 results: Thanh Le taps Freymanov in 62 seconds, Tawanchai wins
ONE Fight Night 15 results: Thanh Le taps Freymanov in 62 seconds, Tawanchai wins
The Singapore-based martial arts promotion’s CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong felt the fight was close, but that Tawanchai edged it.
“It was a very close fight of back and forth action but I thought Tawanchai consistently landed the heavier blows,” Chatri told the Post via text message. “I am not a judge, but Tawanchai edged it in my eyes.
“For sure, Jo is super tough and he looked incredible today. Without a doubt, he’s a world championship athlete. I look forward to seeing him back in action quickly.”
The 34-year-old Thai Nattawut had not fought in 15 months following back-to-back losses against Chingiz Allazov – now the featherweight kickboxing champion – and Jamal Yusupov.
But fans watching Saturday’s event felt he looked like he had never been away, and had done enough to get the nod from the judges.
“Robbery in my opinion,” one fan said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. “We need damage based scoring in kickboxing. Jo turned Tawanchai’s leg into mystery meat.”
“The commentary from ONE was biased,” another netizen said. “It’s like they only saw Tawanchai in there, nothing about Jo walking him down and throwing just as good strikes back.”
“I think anyone being honest knows Jo won, but knew the judges were always going to give it to Tawanchai,” one person wrote. “In the second round, Jo rocked him and bloodied his nose. Third round was close but Jo landed better shots.”
“It wasn’t close. Jo won that,” said another. “Tawanchai hype train gave him the win. Jo made his inside legs purple from the counter shots. He rocked him twice. Tell your judges how to score properly.”
Others were on the fence.
“I see Tawanachai taking the first round, Jo the third. And the second I’m hesitant but I’ll say Tawanchai wins by a narrow margin,” read a comment.
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