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Taiki Naito and Kongthoranee Sor Sommai both want to face Jonathan Di Bella for ONE Championship’s vacant flyweight kickboxing title as they prepare for a rematch in Bangkok on Saturday.
The pair meet in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 49 at Lumpinee Stadium, with Naito seeking a fourth successive victory and Kongthoranee looking to build on a successful switch from Muay Thai.
“If I win this time, I feel like I want to fight against Jonathan Di Bella for the vacant title,” Naito told the Bangkok Post through an interpreter at Wednesday’s media day.
Kongthoranee also named Di Bella when asked whom he would like to face for the belt, saying he was an admirer of the strawweight champion. He sees Saturday’s fight as a chance to establish himself among the contenders.
Taiki Naito (right) celebrates after defeating Hyu in their flyweight kickboxing bout at ONE Samurai 1
“If I win in this fight, I should be in the ranking,” Kongthoranee said through an interpreter. “Maybe that could be a ticket to a title shot in the future.”
The flyweight belt became available when Superlek Kiatmoo9 relinquished it in September to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. His injury also scuppered a planned defence against Di Bella at ONE Samurai 4 in Tokyo last month.
The Italian-Canadian remains the strawweight kickboxing champion and has a defence of that belt planned for ONE 174 in December, according to ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
Saturday’s bout will be a rematch of their October 2023 meeting at ONE Friday Fights 37, which Kongthoranee won by unanimous decision under Muay Thai rules.
Kongthoranee Sor Sommai (left) exchanges punches with Yuan Pengjie during his kickboxing debut at The Inner Circle 32
Naito had originally been scheduled to face Johan Estupinan again this weekend, before the Colombian’s injury prompted the change of opponent. Kongthoranee accepted the short-notice assignment to stay active.
The 29-year-old made a successful kickboxing debut with a unanimous decision over Yuan Pengjie at The Inner Circle 32 in September and now wants to concentrate on the discipline.
“I still love Muay Thai, but for now, I think I would want to focus on kickboxing first just to make sure that this path is going well and then maybe I’ll switch it up later,” he said.
That victory ended a four-fight Muay Thai losing run – twice against Nong-O Hama, with defeats by Aslamjon Ortikov and Asadula Imangazaliev in between.
Kongthoranee said the run had been “taking a toll on me”, and described himself as “super happy” after beating Yuan.
Kongthoranee Sor Sommai (left) celebrates after beating Yuan Pengjie by unanimous decision to end a four-fight losing run
Naito’s recent run has included Muay Thai victories over Estupinan and Nakrob Fairtex, followed by a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Hyu under kickboxing rules at ONE Samurai 1 in April.
The 30-year-old Japanese fighter believes those wins already make him the most deserving challenger for the vacant title.
Both fighters were asked about the possibility of a flyweight kickboxing Grand Prix, an idea put to them during the interviews.
“I feel like there’s no need to do it,” Naito said.
Kongthoranee was more receptive: “If it’s possible, I think that would be fun.”
Jonathan Di Bella sits with the ONE strawweight kickboxing belt after regaining the title at ONE Fight Night 36
For now, each expects a difficult rematch. Naito welcomed the opportunity to avenge his earlier defeat but was impressed by Kongthoranee’s successful adjustment to kickboxing.
“His skill level is very high,” Naito said.
“He’s a skilled kickboxer,” Kongthoranee said. “I don’t think I can ever underestimate him at all.”
Naito acknowledged Kongthoranee’s toughness but believes he can finish the rematch by knockout.
“So, I will take a risk,” he said.
