After Three Years, Kongsuk Finally Gets Chance At Revenge On Dedduanglek At ONE Friday Fights 167

Kongsuk Sitsarawatsuer has found his rhythm at exactly the right time, and now he's bringing that momentum into a long-awaited rematch that's been on his mind for nearly three years.

This Friday, August 21, he steps into the main event of ONE Friday Fights 167 inside Bangkok's iconic Lumpinee Stadium, where he will face Dedduanglek Torfunfarm in a bantamweight Muay Thai sequel to their September 2023 clash. Kongsuk enters the iconic venue riding back-to-back knockout victories and a genuine chip on his shoulder, determined to correct the one mistake that's haunted him ever since that first encounter. And, if he delivers a knockout performance, a life-changing US$100,000 could follow.

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A Natural Evolution Sparks A New Level Of Danger

After a rocky start to his ONE Friday Fights tenure defined by inconsistent results, two-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion Kongsuk has found his footing in decisive fashion, riding back-to-back knockout wins into his upcoming main event.

For the 26-year-old Thai, the turnaround comes down to a natural progression in his approach inside the ring.

"Winning two straight by knockout has really boosted my confidence," the 26-year-old said.

"I've been working on adjusting my style, though I wouldn't say I'm 100 percent a brawler now. I try to balance pressing forward and stepping back depending on who I'm facing, because if you only march forward, your opponent will easily read your rhythm."

Unfinished Business Since September 2023

Kongsuk's next step forward requires settling the score from his past. He first crossed paths with Dedduanglek in September 2023, and the sting of that night has lingered ever since.

Rather than fade with time, the memory has only sharpened his motivation, and with nearly three years now separating that first encounter from their upcoming sequel, Kongsuk sees this rematch as the perfect chance to finally rewrite the ending.

"I've wanted this rematch for a long time. It was one of those fights that always stayed on my mind. Now that our paths are crossing again after nearly three years, it feels like the perfect opportunity to set the record straight," Kongsuk said.

"In our first fight, I made the mistake of eating four to six clean kicks, which was super frustrating. Back then, I was still pretty new to ONE and rushed things too much trying to go for a finish and grab a bonus. That played right into his strategy because he was already prepared to counter with kicks, and I basically walked right into his trap."

Both Men Enter As Sharper Versions Of Themselves

Dedduanglek's biggest weapon remains his kicks, the same tool that decided their first encounter back in 2023. But Kongsuk has noticed other changes in his rival's game as well.

The Thai veteran believes Dedduanglek has sharpened his overall fight IQ, now carrying himself with far more composure inside the ring, and has also gotten noticeably faster, a natural byproduct of maturing as a fighter.

Kongsuk, however, insists he's grown just as much since that night, if not more.

"I've definitely leveled up, too. While we still share a similar technical foundation, I've adjusted my style to be more dynamic – mixing in forward pressure with counter-striking while tweaking my entry timing," Kongsuk said.

"I'm bringing a much higher pace and a tighter guard to this fight. I plan to mix up aggressive pressure with calculated defense. I'll fight smart and stay composed, but the overall intensity will be much higher than before."