The Thai star will welcome surging Russian talent Abdulla Dayakaev to ONE’s global roster this Saturday, May 3, in a bantamweight Muay Thai tussle at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Saemapetch last had his hand raised in February 2024, with a first-round knockout over Mohamed Younes Rabah. Since then, he’s suffered consecutive defeats to number three-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico Carrillo, and Felipe Lobo, respectively.
His recent results may not be great, but the 30-year-old mainstay is confident he can change his fortune this weekend, in what he sees as a do-or-die matchup.
“I have always looked back at my mistakes – where did I go wrong, how did I let my guard down? And I came back to fix those,” Saemapetch addressed.
“In this fight, I know that I can’t lose again. My back is against the wall. I’ve already burned my bridges. I’m going to fight with all my might to win.”
Saemapetch has built a reputation for never shying away from a battle, having taken on some of ONE’s deadliest names, including former longtime ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama and featherweight Muay Thai king Tawanchai PK Saenchai.
However, there is no denying his past few years in ONE Championship have been rocky, and that has brought the detractors out of the woodwork for the Fairtex Training Center affiliate.
Nonetheless, Saemapetch refuses to be disheartened. He has used the negativity as motivation and feels confident heading into ONE Fight Night 31.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of insults. Every time I upload a clip on social media, there are a lot of comments saying bad things to me. Fighters are human beings. They have lives and hearts,” Saemapetch said.
“I never get discouraged. I’m just disappointed that everything didn’t go as I had hoped. I intended to be a fighter. I’ve come a long way in this career. There are only wins and losses.”
