Kongklai Sor Sommai is coming off the toughest kind of loss – the kind that stings not because he was outclassed, but because one moment changed everything. Now, the Thai veteran returns to the ring at ONE Friday Fights 162 this Friday, July 17, hungry to prove that setback was nothing more than a blip on his path toward a life-changing contract.

A Costly Knockdown Snapped His Streak

Kongklai had built serious momentum toward a six-figure contract and a coveted spot on ONE Championship's global roster, riding a three-bout winning streak into his last outing.

But everything shifted in the third round when a left hook sent him to the canvas for an eight-count against Julio Lobo, ultimately swinging the bout in the Brazilian’s favor on the scorecards.

"I messed up by getting counted when I shouldn't have been. When he [threw the hook], it hit my forearm. It was not a clean punch," Kongklai said. "But once the ref gave me the count, the whole game changed. We had to rush to get the points back. 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."

Studying A Dangerous New Threat

Now Kongklai turns his focus to Moroccan standout Adam Benwarwar, a fighter he knows brings serious hand speed and one-punch power to the bantamweight Muay Thai clash.

That hasn’t worried the 27-year-old veteran, though. The Thai has done his homework, and he believes his broader skill set gives him the edge once the fight leaves boxing range.

"From what I've studied, he only has fast and powerful punches,” Kongklai explained. “He's probably like most foreign fighters who are boxing-heavy. His other weapons aren't on my level. In my previous fights, I've used my kicks. I feel like we have a complete set of other Muay Thai weapons.”

Fighting For The Fans, Not The Scorecards

Kongklai is a truly world-class fighter who is a Siam Omnoi Stadium Champion and the 2020 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year. He has thrilled the masses, and there is no doubt that he’ll do so again when he attempts to capture his 84th career win.

The Thai’s style, however, has occasionally drawn criticism from fans who feel he trades too freely instead of chasing safer, easier wins. Nonetheless, it’s a critique the 27-year-old simply doesn't buy into.

"Giving the fans who bought tickets a boring fight? I'd rather fight for the people who spent money to come watch us," Kongklai said. "It's better than jumping around just to get a boring win. I'd rather trade. I don't want to rip them off."

That mentality is exactly why Kongklai remains one of the most must-watch names on the ONE Friday Fights roster, and why a statement win over Benwarwar would mean so much more than just three points on the scorecard.

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