Thai Striker Seeks Redemption Against His Rival’s Ally

Thai striker Nontachai Jitmuangnon begins his road to redemption with revenge against his rival’s training partner. He returns to action at ONE Friday Fights 130 on Friday, October 24, determined to erase the painful memory of his 24-second knockout loss to Abdulla Dayakaev.

Now competing at bantamweight, Nontachai will face Soner “Golden Boy” Sen of Turkey in the main event at Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium — and the poetic irony isn’t lost on him. Sen trains alongside Dayakaev at Team Mehdi Zatout in Pattaya, Thailand, making this bout the perfect starting point for the Jitmuangnon Gym product’s quest to regain confidence and ultimately secure the rematch that has haunted him since July.

A Painful Lesson and a Fresh Start

When Nontachai Jitmuangnon stepped into the ring for his featherweight Muay Thai clash against Dayakaev last July, he carried a clear game plan and the momentum of three straight ONE Championship victories. Training with former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and seven-time world champion Panpayak Jitmuangnon, he expected his technical skill and devastating knees to overpower the Russian contender.

Instead, disaster struck in less than half a minute. A split-second miscalculation while throwing an uppercut left him exposed to a powerful left hook that ended the fight in just 24 seconds. “I saw an opening and made the wrong decision,” admitted Nontachai. “I can accept the loss, but I regret not being able to show my strategy. Losing for the first time in ONE Championship made me less confident.”

That moment became a turning point. Realizing that featherweight bouts put him at a physical disadvantage, the Thai striker made the calculated move to drop to bantamweight, restoring his natural speed and agility. Now, headlining a ONE Friday Fights card for the first time, he’s fueled by determination and has doubled his training intensity, eager to prove the knockout was an exception rather than a pattern.

Revenge Begins With Dayakaev’s Training Partner

Facing Soner “Golden Boy” Sen offers more than just a return opportunity — it’s personal. Sen, who holds a 24-11 career record, also seeks redemption after losing his trilogy fight to Worapon Lukjaoporongtom this past August. Yet his connection to Dayakaev adds an emotional layer to this matchup.

“Right now, I’m 100 percent confident I can get my revenge by defeating Soner, Abdulla’s training partner,” said Nontachai. “His weakness is close combat — that’s where I’m strongest. I’m naturally a knee fighter, and I’ll use that to my full advantage.”

With both strikers desperate for redemption, the main event of ONE Friday Fights 130 promises explosive action. For Nontachai Jitmuangnon, victory would mean far more than another win — it would mark the first step back toward Abdulla Dayakaev, and redemption for those painful 24 seconds that still echo in his mind.