For Shadow Singha Mawynn, that opportunity materialized when ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai was forced to withdraw from ONE Friday Fights 126 due to injury, opening the door for a quick return to competition.
Just days after delivering a spectacular spinning backfist knockout of #2-ranked Bampara Kouyate at ONE Fight Night 35, Shadow accepted a featherweight kickboxing contest against “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang on Friday, September 26, at Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
The rapid turnaround speaks to Shadow’s confidence in both his conditioning and his ability to adapt across striking disciplines. While his recent success has come in Muay Thai competition, this represents his first kickboxing contest under the ONE Championship banner — a transition that requires adjusting to different rules and tactical approaches.
For the 25-year-old Thai sensation, the timing couldn’t be better. Riding the momentum of five consecutive victories since his promotional debut setback in February 2024, Shadow has established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers through dominant performances against elite opposition.
His impressive run included significant victories over former world title challenger Jimmy Vienot and multi-time champion Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, earning him a six-figure contract in March and positioning him among the featherweight elite across multiple striking disciplines.
The knockout of Kouyate elevated Shadow’s profile even further, showcasing the explosive finishing ability that has become his trademark. Now, he gets the chance to prove that success translates across striking rule sets against quality international competition.
Liu presents exactly the kind of challenge that validates championship credentials. The 22-year-old Chinese striker announced his arrival in spectacular fashion, defeating future interim king Masaaki Noiri by unanimous decision in his promotional debut last December. It was a victory that immediately established him as a legitimate contender.
Though Liu suffered a setback against Mohammad Siasarani via split decision in April, that narrow defeat hardly diminished his reputation as a skilled, dangerous competitor capable of troubling anyone in the division.
For Liu, this contest represents an opportunity to bounce back against a trending opponent while proving his debut victory over Noiri wasn’t a fortunate outcome but rather an indication of his genuine elite-level ability.
The stylistic matchup fascinates fans. Shadow’s explosive finishing instincts meet Liu’s technical precision in a contest where both athletes bring proven ability against top-level competition but approach striking from different philosophical perspectives.
