Lerdsila Expects No Surprises This Time Against Sok Thy

“Mr. Lightning” Lerdsila Phuket Top Team is looking for a definitive victory at ONE: WARRIOR’S DREAM.

Come 17 November at the Stadium Istora in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Muay Thai hero will return to the global stage for martial arts to take on Cambodia’s Sok Thy in a highly-anticipated flyweight rematch.

The pair first met at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER in June for their ONE Championship debuts. It was an exciting battle of experience versus youth.

Lerdsila started the bout by using his evasiveness and timing to strike with push kicks and knees to the midsection of Thy, but the young Cambodian never stopped moving forward.

He pushed the pace for all three rounds – looking to smother the Thai champion and score in the clinch.

Lerdsila was under a lot of pressure, but always looked for counter shots, and stayed relaxed – laughing and smiling throughout the match.

After three hard rounds, Lerdsila managed to take home a very narrow split decision victory.

The 37-year-old from Chaiyaphum, Thailand admits he had some difficulty getting comfortable in the bout.

Despite a highly decorated Muay Thai career that includes Rajadamnern Stadium World Titles in three divisions, the contest was Lerdsila’s return to the art of eight limbs after a lengthy layoff from the sport.

Before his Match with Thy, Lerdsila had been competing exclusively in kickboxing contests.

“In my debut with ONE, I was still adjusting to competing in Muay Thai again,” he says.

“The sweeps and clinch are different than the K-1 rules I had grown used to while fighting in China.”

He also admits he did not expect his opponent to be so effective when they first met, but that will not happen again.

Training out of Phuket Top Team, Lerdsila has increased the intensity of his training regime in preparation for the rematch.

He is looking to perform to the best of his abilities, and leave Jakarta with a more convincing victory.

“I was surprised at how strong he was. This time, I will be more prepared,” he adds.

“I have a lot of respect for my opponent. He’s a young up-and-comer in the sport.

“Each match I have with ONE Championship, I want to do my very best.”

Thy will also be ready. The 21-year-old is the 2018 National Kun Khmer Champion and was the first Cambodian to challenge for Muay Thai World Titles at the Lumpinee and Channel 7 Boxing Stadiums in Thailand.

He will be hungry to claim a victory over a legend of the sport like Lerdsila and take his career to the next level.

However, Lerdsila has three decades of experience behind him and he is determined.

Even after amassing a professional record of 187-31-5 over 30 years of competition, the opportunity to represent his nation for the world’s largest martial arts organization is not one he takes lightly.

“I want to continue to keep fighting for ONE Championship, and my goal is to become a champion within ONE Super Series.”

Lerdsila sees his timing, ring IQ, speed, and agility as his keys to victory.

If he can make his experience count and leave no doubt about the winner this time, he will take his first significant step towards that goal on 17 November.