How did we get back to Tawanchai vs Superbon?
Now it is not uncommon for fighters to face each other many times in Kickboxing and Muay thai, just in recent memory Superlek and Panpayak have fought each other seven times. On top of that it is a good display of meritocracy in the sport, as the best fighting the best superceded the hot new match up that fans wanted to see. This is how professional boxing used to be once upon a time.
However kickboxing and Muay Thai are the only combat sports that have still retained this spirit of fighting “anyone, anytime, anywhere” that is gone from even sports like MMA. With the big exception being the amazing rivalry between Brandon Moreno and Deveison Figeureido on the UFC’s flyweight division.
You might also be asking, “Superbon and Tawanchai have only fought twice, why even bring this up?” which is a good question. I bring this up because they both have had one foe in common, who is the reason why this rematch is even happening.
That would be Jo Nattawut.
Jo Nattawut: A Continous Nuisance at Featherweight
Jo Nattawut has had a hard path in One Championship, as the promotion seems to enjoy using him to build up their stars. A “Gate Keeper” in Muay Thai. Having faced truly the best of the best in both Muay thai and Kickboxing. He truly embodies the warrior spirit willing to fight anyone in any ruleset. Whether it be Kickboxing or Muay Thai.
However, the results of this type of career vary greatly. So Jo has in my opinion been on the bad end of decisions, where it seems the bigger star gets gifted the win. Such as his amazing fights with current champion Tawanchai.
Also he win over rising American Muay Thai start Luke Lessei, however he also doesn’t do himself any favors. When chose to fight Superbon when he was already slated to fight Tawanchai for the title. That was just plain stupid, a decorated Muay Thai and kickboxing champion who was only best the by pound for pound king, Chingiz Allazov. The choice to fight that guy before one of the most important fights of you career is just plain dumb.
And how we know this turned.
Jo Nattawut got absolutely smoked in the first round, and me being a Jo Nattawut fanboy. As a lot of the American Muay Thai scene sees him as of our own. With him living and training in America. This loss hurt a lot to see, especially for a guy who has spent most of his career working to achieve the pinnacle of the sport. However, enough of Jo, now.
We now move on to the here and the now.
The Rematch We Didn't Need
I mean no disrespect when I wrote that sub-heading. These are both incredible talents, and their first fight was a solid showing. However, it resembled the style of fight one would see on the stadium scene. That’s not a flaw of traditional stadium Muay Thai it is a feature. That feature however has mixed reception here in the west. MMA fans groan when wrestling heavy grapplers lay and pray, and a lot fans groan when Muay thai fighters seemingly spar and don’t fight.
Which is not uncommon in Muay Thai in the stadiums, hence why Rodtang is so popular despite his somewhat shallow accolades, people like violent and hectic fights. Something that westerners and thais like Seksan, Rodtang, Jo Nattawut do very well.
So when 2 excellent and at times very violent strikersm with Superbon having 2 of the most vicious headkick knock outs in modern kickboxing. And Tawanchai a kicker so powerful he broke the former Glory lightweight champion Davit Kiria’s arm and stopped Jamal Yusupov in one leg kick. It’s frustrating to see them seeming have a friendly spar when we know what they are capable of.
That is not good for the growth of Muay Thai world wide, it only hinders it. It may be good for them individually but makes Mauy Thai seem pitter patter in the eyes of casuals, and we need their respect to grow the sport. Whether we like it or not.
Meritocracy Should Reign Supreme
This is not some call against meritocracy, the best should always fight the best. That’s what makes Muay Thai and kickboxing unique if a fighter with a boring style wins, he deserves it. If he reigns for 5 years with decision after decision, so be it. You can’t stop him. Yes I am talking about Petch in Glory, however you can’t just strip him. That ruins the integrity of the sport.
That would truly render a combat sport to glorified shoot matches like in pro-wrestling. However, a promotion should seek to expand, and ONE is big on expansion, and sometimes decisions should be made to keep a division moving. As it seems the card of ONE 170 is carried by every other match.
Even the bout between Marcelo Garcia and Imanari seems more intriguing that the main event. However, enough dwelling on what could have been with an exciting trilogy.
Let’s all be greatful for an awesome Tawanchai vs Superbon 2 card to finish off January in what will likely be an awesome year for Muay Thai and Kickboxing.
