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Akram Hamidi's Comeback Story Begins At ONE Friday Fights 164
Akram "La Pepite" Hamidi hasn't stepped into the ring in nearly a year, but the three-time ISKA Kickboxing World Champion is ready to make up for lost time. At ONE Friday Fights 164 on July 31, he returns determined to remind the strawweight Muay Thai division
Akram "La Pepite" Hamidi hasn't stepped into the ring in nearly a year, but the three-time ISKA Kickboxing World Champion is ready to make up for lost time. At ONE Friday Fights 164 on July 31, he returns determined to remind the strawweight Muay Thai division why he was once regarded as one of its most dangerous strikers before one of the sport's greatest legends halted his momentum.
A Legend Handed Hamidi A Rare Defeat
The last time ONE Championship fans saw Hamidi compete, he faced former multiple-time ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao in a pivotal matchup in September 2024.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest Muay Thai athletes of all time, Sam-A stopped the French-Algerian star by knockout. It was Hamidi's first stoppage defeat since 2018.
Rather than rushing back into competition, Hamidi decided to step away from the sport and use the setback as an opportunity to reset both mentally and physically.
"After the fight with Sam-A, I took the opportunity to take a long break. I lost, but that's not a problem because I got to share the ring with a legend – a champion of that level, which is a win-win situation," Hamidi said.
"During my break, I still did light training to maintain my physical condition. But mostly, I spent time with my family. Over the past 10 years, I've had to fight every two months, so it was really difficult to find time for my family, or even just to see them face to face."
Hamidi Returns With Confidence At ONE Friday Fights 164
Hamidi returned to action last November and immediately rediscovered his finishing instincts. The French-Algerian scored a first-round knockout over Cambodia's Kam Menghong with a devastating knee to the body.
That victory put him back on the winning track and earned him another opportunity on the ONE Friday Fights stage, where he will now face Watcharaphon Laochokcharoen, a seasoned Thai veteran who owns an impressive 127 career victories and a perfect 5-0 record in ONE Championship.
Hamidi has no intention of changing the formula that has brought him success.
"I'm still going to focus on speed and pressure, the same as before. I'm going to open fast and throw my weapons clearly," the 27-year-old said.
"My intention is to close this fight out as fast as possible. And yes, in this fight, my hands will still be my main weapon."
Hamidi Is Fighting For More Than Another Victory
For Hamidi, Friday's contest represents much more than extending a winning streak.
It is an opportunity to erase the memory of his last appearance and remind everyone inside Lumpinee Stadium that he remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the strawweight Muay Thai division.
The French-Algerian is not trying to erase the loss to Sam-A, but he knows an even stronger performance is required this time.
"I will try to impose myself as strongly as possible, and to try to end the fight," Hamidi said.
"I'm really going to rely on two things: the speed and the pressure. I want to go very fast, hit hard, and finish the fight as fast as possible."
