Kongklai Sor Sommai and Adam “El Capitano” Benwarwar are set to throw down in a bantamweight Muay Thai bout this Friday, July 17, at ONE Friday Fights 162, with a potential US$100,000 main roster contract on the line. This isn't just another fight; it is a showdown with massive implications for both fighters as they clash in Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
Kongklai Isn't Shaken After Latest Setback
Kongklai Sor Sommai is stepping back into the ring determined to prove his last fight was nothing but a minor hiccup. The veteran saw his three-fight winning streak in the organization snapped by a decision loss to Julio Lobo at ONE Friday Fights 152. But don't think for a second that rocked his confidence. He shared, "I messed up [in that fight against Lobo]. Once I got [handed] the eight-count, the fight was actually really close and fun. But it was already late in the third round too, so I couldn’t win. But it didn’t affect my confidence because I know I did my best. Confidence-wise, I’m not at a disadvantage because I’ve been fighting Muay Thai my whole life.” With an 83-23 career record, Kongklai knows wins and losses are part of the game, but one thing remains constant: his ability to put opponents to sleep. He's finished Paedsanlek PK Saenchai with knees to the head and knocked out Deniz “Bad Boy” Demirkapu and Ferrari Fairtex cold with his missile-like left hand. Seriously, all but one of his promotional triumphs came inside the distance! This time around, he is not chasing the finish, just focusing on his job. "Lately, I haven’t been able to finish fights or get a bonus. So, I don’t want to hope for that anymore. I figured it’s better not to expect it. It’s better to just do my job to the fullest. If I’m meant to get it, it will come on its own. But if my opponent comes to trade punches, it’s going to be absolute fire. I guarantee it’ll be a war just like the last fight.”Adam Benwarwar Is Coming Off A 52-Second KO and Has Something To Prove
Adam “El Capitano” Benwarwar, a 23-year-old knockout artist, has a serious chip on his shoulder for this fight. Kongklai has been studying him, saying, “Adam is big, and he hits hard. He’s fast with his punches. However, [his Muay Thai] is pretty much the same as anyone else. He has great hand speed and heavy shots, but when opponents hit him back, he backs off too. His other weapons aren’t on my level. [But] we have a complete set of other Muay Thai weapons.” Talk about a challenge being issued! Benwarwar is ready to prove that assessment wrong. After a unanimous decision defeat in his promotional debut, he bounced back in a major way this past May with a lightning-fast 52-second knockout of Kendu Irving. That kind of power speaks for itself, and "El Capitano" is looking to use it to silence the veteran and make a statement. This Friday, July 17, get ready for chaos. Will Kongklai bounce back and prove his veteran status, or will Benwarwar shut him up and take a massive step towards that US$100,000 contract? It's going to be "absolute fire" according to Kongklai, and we absolutely believe him.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.