He fought his way through every corner of Thailand, walked away from the sport during COVID-19, came back, and has not stopped winning since.

Now Panpadej NF Looksuan is five victories into a perfect ONE Championship run and one win away from inching closer to the life-changing contract that has already begun transforming his world. Standing in his way at ONE Friday Fights 151 on April 24 is Ubaid "Bad" Hussain, who is equally unbeaten in ONE, equally hungry, and equally dangerous. Only one leaves with their record intact.

From The Hot District To The Global Stage

Panpadej's road to ONE Championship was anything but straightforward. A native of Chiang Mai's Hot District, he carved through opponents across Thailand before the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a halt. Rather than let that break define him, he came back sharper and went on a 20-bout winning streak that eventually earned him a shot at the world's biggest weekly martial arts stage.

He joined ONE in April 2024 and has not looked back – five straight wins that have turned him into a local hero and a genuine contender for the life-changing six-figure contract. But beyond the results, the impact of competing at this level has reached far deeper than the record books.

"Life has changed a lot since I compete in ONE. I've used the money I earned to invest back home and support my father's business. In our family, money used to just circulate, but ONE has provided the kind of money that truly changes lives," Panpadej explained. "My reputation has grown significantly too. Before, people in Hot District didn't really know me. But after fighting in ONE, everywhere I go, people greet me as Panpadej, ‘The Pride of Hot District.'"

He Has Hussain Figured Out

Ubaid "Bad" Hussain arrives at ONE Friday Fights 151 with a reputation built on fast hands, sharp boxing combinations, and the kind of relentless pressure that has overwhelmed everyone he has faced. He looks scary and fierce. Panpadej is not disputing any of that.

But “The Pride of the Hot District” has watched the footage, and he has spotted something others have missed. When Hussain gets the upper hand, he gets overconfident. That confidence creates looseness in his defense, particularly when an opponent refuses to panic and counter. Panpadej plans to be exactly that opponent.

"Ubaid is very talented," Panpadej offered. "He has a complete Muay Thai arsenal and solid kickboxing skills. His style is fast, and he starts pressing from the first round. He's dangerous, but I'm not afraid. I believe I have what it takes too, because in my last five fights, I've never had an easy task. I've faced heavy hitters every time."

A Warning For The ‘Bad’ Man

Panpadej will be the first to admit his last performance this past February was not his best – and he knows Hussain is a step up in difficulty from anything he has recently faced. But none of that has rattled him. If anything, it has sharpened his focus. His team has done their homework, he has prepared specific counters, and he walks into Lumpinee Stadium on Friday with one clear objective – a spectacular finish.

Hussain has been warned.

"I'll just say this: don't underestimate me. If he does, he'll fall right into my trap," Panpadej said. "This Friday, if the opportunity arises, I want to knock him out. I've prepared specific techniques and counters. My team has done their homework well. I'm definitely not stepping into that ring just to be his victim."

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