Nontachai Jitmuangnon Aims for ONE World Title Shot with Victory Over Kiamran Nabati
A fourth consecutive win could elevate Nontachai Jitmuangnon beyond a simple streak; it could position him for a World Title bout.
The Thai fighter is set to face Kiamran Nabati in the bantamweight Muay Thai main event of The Inner Circle 31. The event streams live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, September 18, following two postponements from its initial August date.
Since winning the Road to ONE: Thailand tournament, Nontachai has developed into a more strategic fighter. He's currently on a three-fight winning streak, which includes a decision victory over former World Title challenger Felipe Lobo and a third-round TKO of Semih Sah Cindir. Nabati enters the fight coming off his first professional loss against new champion Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri. Nontachai's team has identified a predictable pattern in Nabati's counter-striking.
"He frequently catches kicks to counter with strong punches, a risky area for me. I'll use feints. When I do kick, I'll aim for the head to prevent him from catching it," Nontachai stated. "We've prepared thoroughly, so he won't get the chance to counter."
Nontachai Jitmuangnon's Prediction for a Fight Against Yod-IQ
A victory against Nabati would mark Nontachai's fourth straight win, an achievement he hasn't yet reached in his ONE Championship career. He's already looking beyond Friday's fight toward the championship, intending to avenge Nabati's sole career defeat by defeating the fighter responsible.
"If I win against Kiamran, it will be my fourth consecutive victory. I'm eager to maintain this momentum. My focus is now on the belt.
"If I face Yod-IQ, I believe I have the skills to overcome him."
Nontachai Jitmuangnon Eyes ONE World Title Shot with Win Over Kiamran Nabati
A fourth straight win could do more than extend a streak for Nontachai Jitmuangnon. It would put him directly in the World Title conversation.
The Thai standout finally meets Kiamran Nabati in the bantamweight Muay Thai main event of The Inner Circle 31, streaming live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, September 18, after a pair of delays pushed the matchup back from its original August date.
Nontachai has evolved into a far more cerebral fighter since winning the Road to ONE: Thailand tournament, powering a three-fight winning streak that includes a decision win over former World Title challenger Felipe Lobo and a third-round TKO of Semih Sah Cindir. Nabati arrives sharper after absorbing his first professional defeat to newly crowned champion Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri, and Nontachai’s corner has already identified an exploitable pattern in the Russian’s counter game.
“He loves catching legs to counter with heavy punches, which is a big danger zone for me. I’ll be throwing feints. When I do kick, I’m aiming straight for the head so he can’t catch it,” he said. “We did our homework, so I’m not giving him the chance to counter-strike.”
Nontachai Jitmuangnon predicts how a fight with Yod-IQ would go
A win over Nabati would give Nontachai his fourth straight victory, a feat he has never accomplished before in his ONE Championship tenure. He has already begun looking past Friday toward the belt itself, with an eye on avenging Nabati’s only career defeat by taking down the man who delivered it.
“If I pull off this win over Kiamran, it’ll be my fourth straight victory. I really want to keep this momentum going. Honestly, my eyes are set on the belt now.
“If I ever get my shot at Yod-IQ, I feel like I’ve got the tools to break him down.”
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