Three-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Kongthoranee Sor Sommai and Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito are ready to give fans another war, this time in kickboxing at ONE Fight Night 49: Gabriel vs. Magomedov on Prime Video on Friday, November 6.
Their high-stakes flyweight rematch serves as the co-main event of the U.S. primetime card in Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium, and judging by their form, both men are primed to deliver fireworks.
The Thai made a winning start to kickboxing with a unanimous decision over Yuan Pengjie at The Inner Circle 32. Naito – hunting a fourth straight triumph – is riding the momentum of a landmark victory over previously undefeated Hyu “Mister Pepper” Iwata at ONE SAMURAI 1.
Kongthoranee won the first meeting after nine minutes of high-octane action at ONE Friday Fights 37 in October 2023, but round two is a different game, and they know it. Both men have plenty to say about it, and the Thai struck first.
Kongthoranee Confident Of Repeating History
Kongthoranee So Sommai already has the blueprint to beat Taiki Naito, but he is not treating it like a free pass to another spectacular victory.
The 29-year-old has watched the Japanese star pile up wins since their first meeting, and he senses a sharper version waiting across the ring. That said, he remains confident that history will repeat itself.
Kongthoranee told onefc.com:
“Taiki has developed a lot throughout his three-fight winning streak. The main area I see him improving is his striking arsenal – that’s the dangerous part. He’s faster, heavier, and lands much more continuous combinations.”
He has never been short on answers, and his kickboxing debut proved it. The Sor Sommai man looked every bit as fluid and dangerous, picking Yuan apart round after round until the scorecards felt like a mere formality.
That confidence has not made him complacent, though, and Kongthoranee knows a rematch under new rules asks different questions.
The 29-year-old said:
“After fighting kickboxing in my last bout, I want to develop more fluid and continuous combinations. It’ll make my strikes more effective and give me that killer instinct to finish fights. I’m confident I still have plenty of room to grow.
“Facing Taiki in kickboxing does look scarier than fighting against him in Muay Thai, but I still believe I can get the job done. Here’s my message to Taiki – no matter the rules, Muay Thai or kickboxing, I will definitely be your nightmare.”
With that kind of belief, the multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion is already looking beyond this guaranteed barnburner.
The division’s gold sits unclaimed, and he sees a win over “Silent Sniper” as the launchpad toward it, with a seven-fight Muay Thai streak on the global stage serving as proof he knows how to build one.
Kongthoranee said:
“Right now, the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title is vacant, so I view this as a huge opportunity. Winning this fight would be another major step for me. I’m going to give it 100 percent to elevate myself to the top spot.
“My goal in kickboxing is to beat Taiki to climb into the top tier of the flyweight kickboxing division, and if the opportunity comes, I want to fight for that World Title.”
Naito Is Out For Revenge
Taiki Naito has his sights on the same prize, but the Japanese star’s dreams do not stop at kickboxing. Primarily a kickboxer, the Bell Wood Fight Team representative has competed 11 times under Muay Thai rules and looked comfortable in both.
A win over Kongthoranee Sor Sommai would put the 30-year-old in the running for the vacant divisional gold, yet the former Shoot Boxing Japan Champion wants to keep competing in Muay Thai too, in search of two-sport glory.
Naito said:
“I want to win this match first, and then I want to win the kickboxing title next. So, I want to focus on kickboxing right now. I want to get the kickboxing belt first, and then return to Muay Thai fights afterward.”
Victory could bring him closer to that dream, but it would also deliver something more personal. Of the 14 losses on Naito’s 39-win record, few sting like the one the Thai handed him in 2023, and this rematch is his chance at payback.
“Silent Sniper” has studied his foe’s kickboxing debut closely, and the new rules have changed the way he sees the rematch.
He said:
“I think it’ll be a completely different fight. This is his second kickboxing fight, and after watching his last fight, I felt he could adapt well to kickboxing too. I think there will be more punches than last time, with both of our punches crossing.
“But in terms of kickboxing experience, I have the edge. And in terms of punching – the precision and the punches themselves – I’m sure I’m better.”
With everything locked in and camp going smoother than ever, Naito is confident he will extend his winning ways and settle the rivalry on his own terms.
He is even specific about how he wants it to end, and he trusts his preparation.
Naito said:
“I’m sure it’ll be an intense fight, but I do want to finish it cleanly in the end. As for the type of finishing shot, it depends on the situation.
“I’ve prepared both a right punch and a left punch that can put him down, so I want to leave it to the flow of the fight and trust my weapons.”
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