‘I Feel Much Calmer’ – Rambolek Reflects On Life As A Monk Before First World Title Defense At The Inner Circle 30

Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon captured the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title in March, then stepped away from competition to become a monk. Now he returns, noting the man stepping into the ring on September 11 is a calmer, more focused version of himself.

The 23-year-old Thai defends his gold against Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri in the main event of The Inner Circle 30 on Friday, September 11. The card broadcasts live in Asia primetime on live.onefc.com from Bangkok’s historic Lumpinee Stadium.
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Becoming a monk was not an entirely new experience for Rambolek, but it marked the first time he approached it with true intention. As a child, he underwent a one-day ordination as a gesture toward a teacher — an experience that came and went in a flash.

This time proved different. Rambolek committed himself fully, spending over a month living by the strict rhythms of monastic life: rising early, chanting scripture, studying Buddhist teachings, collecting alms, and performing daily temple duties.

There were no shortcuts. No fight camp he had ever endured prepared him for the mental discipline the experience demanded.

“It was my first time truly being ordained. As a kid, I was only ordained for a single day for my teacher, which ended quickly. But this time, I was fully intentional about it. It was a wonderful experience — peaceful and deeply introspective.

“Going hungry without being able to eat trained my patience, mindfulness, and self-discipline to overcome cravings. I spent a month and six days chanting and performing temple duties.”

“It was my first time truly being ordained. As a kid, I was only ordained for a single day for my teacher, which ended quickly. But this time, I was fully intentional about it. It was a wonderful experience — peaceful and deeply introspective.

“Going hungry without being able to eat trained my patience, mindfulness, and self-discipline to overcome cravings. I spent a month and six days chanting and performing temple duties.”
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Leaving the monastery, Rambolek expected to feel relief upon returning to his routine. Instead, he missed the structure and simplicity he had lived under for over a month — a feeling he had not anticipated.

He noticed a familiar discipline in monastic life that echoed his profession. Waking early, eating on a schedule, and sleeping with purpose were habits he already understood as a fighter, only now reshaped around prayer and service rather than pad work and sparring.

“Right after leaving the monastery, I actually missed the temple. Having lived there for over a month, stepping out made me reflect on no longer being in that space or following those daily rituals. It shared similarities with fight training — waking up early, eating, and sleeping — except as a monk, your day consists of morning alms, chanting, and temple responsibilities.”

“Right after leaving the monastery, I actually missed the temple. Having lived there for over a month, stepping out made me reflect on no longer being in that space or following those daily rituals. It shared similarities with fight training — waking up early, eating, and sleeping — except as a monk, your day consists of morning alms, chanting, and temple responsibilities.”
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That period of reflection left a lasting imprint on Rambolek’s mindset ahead of his first World Title defense. Where he might once have let outside noise affect him, the newly crowned champion now carries a steadier, grounded outlook.

Asked directly whether the experience changed his perspective on life, his answer left little room for doubt.

“Definitely. I feel much calmer and rarely let anyone’s comments get to me anymore.”

“Definitely. I feel much calmer and rarely let anyone’s comments get to me anymore.”
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While Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon lived without phone access, the machinery of ONE Championship’s bantamweight Muay Thai division kept moving. Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri, a PK Saenchai Muay Thai Gym standout riding a 10-fight winning streak, had already begun calling for a shot at the new king’s crown.

The matchup materialized while Rambolek had no way of knowing it was being discussed. Living under temple rules, he lacked phone access to follow the divisional chatter surrounding his title.

It was only during his morning alms collection — one of the few moments he stepped outside the temple grounds — that Rambolek discovered his first World Title defense had been made official.

“While I was still at the monastery, he had just called me out, and then suddenly the matchup was made official.

“I actually saw the news while out collecting morning alms because there was no phone reception inside the temple. Once I saw it, people teased me, asking if he saw the monk as an easy target!”

“While I was still at the monastery, he had just called me out, and then suddenly the matchup was made official.

“I actually saw the news while out collecting morning alms because there was no phone reception inside the temple. Once I saw it, people teased me, asking if he saw the monk as an easy target!”
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The timing caught Rambolek off guard for another reason. He expected a different opponent when the time came to defend his gold.

In the lead-up to his ordination, speculation surrounding his first defense centered on a potential clash with bantamweight kickboxing ruler Jonathan “The General” Haggerty, who had publicly expressed interest in a return to Muay Thai.

“At first, I didn’t think my defense would be against Yod-IQ — I expected to face [Jonathan] Haggerty since he mentioned wanting to return to Muay Thai. So getting matched with Yod-IQ was a genuine surprise.”

“At first, I didn’t think my defense would be against Yod-IQ — I expected to face [Jonathan] Haggerty since he mentioned wanting to return to Muay Thai. So getting matched with Yod-IQ was a genuine surprise.”
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