Tukkatatong Petpayathai Promises An Action-Packed Encounter In Shanghai

ONEchampionship.com

Tukkatatong Petpayathai (241-33-2) is ready to take on any challenge in ONE Super Series.

After impressing in his first ONE bout against Mehdi “Diamond Heart” Zatout in June, the two-time Muay Thai world champion is booked to face another of the most impressive performers from the all-striking series so far.

He will meet Ognjen Topic (32-20-2) in a bantamweight bout on the main card of ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON at the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai, China, on 8 September.

The Evolve representative is coming off a convincing unanimous decision win at ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR.

He was scheduled to face another world champion in the art of eight limbs, Panicos Yusuf, but injury forced the Cypriot out of the bout, and he was replaced by ISKA and WBC World Champion, Zatout.

Despite the late switch, Tukkatatong looked fantastic in Yangon, Myanmar, putting on a near-flawless performance – highlighted by some precision counter-striking.

He puts that down to his ability to adapt to any challenge on the fly.

“In training, I focus on myself, and I don’t usually have a strict plan of what I’m going to do,” he explains.

“I rely more on reading the fight in the cage itself once we get going, and take it from there.

“Overall, I’m happy, but as with any performance, I always find flaws and specific areas where I could improve.

“I was able to land some of my shots quite cleanly and get a knockdown, but I look forward to continuing to improve, and put on even better performances in the future.”

Though the 30-year-old Thai’s next opponent is less experienced than his first in the world’s largest martial arts organization, he arguably presents a greater test.

Ognjen Topic is a Lion Fight World Champion who also made a strong first impression when he debuted in ONE Super Series at ONE: GRIT AND GLORY in May.

Despite the aggression of his rival, Stergos “Greek Dynamite” Mikkios, he was dominant throughout the three-round contest, and emerged with a unanimous decision from the judges.

“He’s a very good fighter. He performed well in his last bout, and it was obvious why he was able to get the win,” says Tukkatatong.

“He showed good, clean technique, and the way he was able to control that fight showed his experience. I look forward to facing him.

“He has spent a lot of time training and fighting in Thailand, so his technique is very good. It’s going to be a fun fight for me.

“I just need to play my game and do what I do well. If I perform at my best and do what I know, I will come out the winner.”

Tukkatatong’s 276 professional bouts give him the clear advantage in experience over the 32-year-old Serbian, who has taken part in a meager 54 by comparison, but the numbers do not tell the full story.

Topic has faced a high level of opposition and knocked out other Thais with many times more bouts than him in the past. He also comes into the match-up full of confidence.

That should guarantee a must-see encounter.

“Our styles are going to be very entertaining for the fans as we both are well-rounded fighters, so I expect all the weapons of Muay Thai to be on show,” Tukkatatong adds.

A victory for either man would take their tally to two in ONE Super Series, which would be a first at bantamweight.

That accomplishment – especially against such impressive opposition – would make the winner a leading candidate to take part in an inaugural World Title match in the future.

It is a prospect that interests Tukkatatong, but his focus is only on one thing right now.

“I focus on one fight at a time. I am fully focused on this upcoming bout in Shanghai, and have not thought about anything after yet,” he says.

“This will be my second bout this year in ONE Super Series, and I’m confident that I will come out 2-0. Whatever the future holds is up to ONE – I am open to fighting whoever they want me up against.

“If they present me with a World Title fight, it would be a great honor.”