Lead Paragraph: Scottish powerhouse Stephen "El Matador" Irvine returns to ONE Friday Fights 128 on Friday, October 10, and he believes he’s one dominant performance away from securing a life-changing US$100,000 contract. The 25-year-old faces relentless brawler Rambong Sor Therapat in the main event, a 130-pound Muay Thai showdown in his rival’s hometown.

The contract is within reach

Irvine has been marvelous during his run at ONE Friday Fights. He has claimed victory six times, with his only setback coming via close majority decision to Singdomthong Nokjeanladkrabang in October 2023. Since then, the Scottish technician has looked unstoppable, extending his winning streak to four with a commanding unanimous decision over Sornsueknoi FA Group in March.

Now, after ripping through the competition for the past year and a half, Irvine knows he is within striking distance of securing a lucrative six-figure contract to join ONE Championship’s global roster. Having to go through a dangerous opponent like Rambong to claim it only motivates him even more.

"I believe it's very much around the corner. If I can go out and show another really dominant performance – hopefully get the KO and get the bonus – the contract would be the cherry on top," he said.

Calculated precision vs. reckless aggression

The Glasgow-based striker has been studying his opponent carefully. Rambong had compiled seven consecutive victories before suffering a knockout loss to Suriyanlek Por Yenying in July, consistently overwhelming opponents with suffocating forward pressure.

But Irvine sees opportunity where others see danger. He watched Rambong's brutal knockout loss and identified a pattern – when the Thai commits to his attacks, he exposes himself to bout-ending counters. The Deachkalek Muay Thai Academy product thrives in chaos, as he maintains his composure when pressure breaks most fighters.

"I am just technically much better than him. I'm faster, I'm smarter. He's crazy, I'm calculated. And that is going to be the difference maker in this fight," Irvine said. "It's going to be his downfall. He's going to walk into something. I'm going to be too fast, too agile, and ready to expose his weaknesses."

Brotherhood forged in the gym

Former ONE World Title challenger Nico “King of the North” Carrillo is a constant presence in his Scottish compatriot’s corner. They're brothers – not by blood, but through shared sacrifice and ambition forged over a decade of training together.

Carrillo's ONE Championship journey has been spectacular, as he exploded onto the global stage with four straight knockout victories over the likes of former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama and the legendary “Elbow Zombie” Muangthai PK Saenchai. Though he fell to the bantamweight division’s future king, Nabil Anane, the Scot moved up to featherweight and proved to be more dangerous as he demolished pound-for-pound great Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong.

That success proves that a fellow Glasgow warrior can thrive in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and Irvine is following his friend’s blueprint very closely. Carrillo also pushes Irvine to his absolute limits daily, helping to refine the skills and mental toughness needed at the highest level.

"I have trained with Nico since we were 15 years old. Training with him is an inspiration. He is that step ahead of me; he is doing very well, big fights. I am on my own journey, but seeing him get there lets me know that it's very possible and it's very close as well," Irvine shared.