Stephen Irvine destroys Rambong Sor Therapat, bags six-figure contract. Stephen “El Matador” Irvine became the latest star from ONE Friday Fights to earn a US$100,000 contract and a spot on the promotion’s main roster after decimating Rambong Sor Therapat at the 2:46 mark of round one.
ONE Championship returns to Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 10 with another explosive lineup. In the main event, Scotland’s Stephen Irvine took on Thailand’s Rambong Sor Therapat in a 130-pound Muay Thai fight. The 25-year-old Irvine came in on a four-fight winning streak and showed his sharp, smart fighting style. Rambong, on the other hand, was looking to bounce back after his own seven-fight streak had ended, making the fight an exciting matchup between two fighters who had everything to fight for.
From the opening bell, the fight was fast and explosive. Rambong, forced his way through Irvine’s defense to get close enough to trade punches. Once he got inside, Rambong threw heavy shots, while Irvine stepped back and fired body kicks in return. Rambong didn’t realize those body kicks were part of Irvine’s plan to set up the knockout. Soon after, Irvine threw another kick. Rambong tried to catch and counter it like before, but this time the kick came high, right over his arms. Irvine’s shin landed clean on Rambong’s neck, sending the Thai fighter crashing to the floor.
That was the end. The camera then showed Irvine celebrating his huge walk-off knockout win, which boosted his record and earned him a spot on ONE Championship’s main roster alongside his teammate, Nico Carrillo. “Thank you so much, Chatri,” he said. “I get carried away when I’m here and forget to show how grateful I am. Not just for these bonuses and opportunities, but for keeping my dream alive. For years I was thinking, ‘What am I doing?’ I wasn’t going to make a lot of money doing Muay Thai – but ONE Championship made that possible.”
Gallacher and Carillo jumped over the ropes to celebrate with their man after Rambong was dropped cold . “It’s something I’ve done all my career,” Irvine said of the technique. “Now that I’m in the small gloves, I’d kind of forgotten about it – but I went back to my roots. We were working on it all camp, and of course Nico Carrillo called the killer shot as he always does.”
Check Out ONE Friday Fights 128 Quick Results Below:
Stephen Irvine defeats Rambong Sor Therapat via KO at 2:46 of round one (Muay Thai – 130 lbs)
Sanit Aekmuangnon defeats Singdomthong Nokjeanladkrabang via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – 129 lbs)
Anar Mammadov defeats Komawut FA Group via TKO at 0:44 of round two (Muay Thai – Flyweight)
Ayoub Yassine defeats Kaokarat Sor Tienpo via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – 138 lbs)
Wanchainoi Sor Tor Hiewbangsaen defeats Koko Mor Rattanabundit via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – 118 lbs)
Theraphon Dangkhaosai defeats Fahsodsai Tor Morsri via KO at 1:35 of round two (Muay Thai – Strawweight)
Duangdawnoi Looksaikongdin defeats Kim Townsend via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – 107 lbs)
Payakrut Suajantokmuaythai defeats Abdessamie Rhenimi via disqualification in round two (Muay Thai – Strawweight)
Kazuteru Yamazaki defeats Abdelhamid Talbi via unanimous decision (Kickboxing – Flyweight)
Evgenii Antonov defeats Suleyman Suleymanov via unanimous decision (MMA – Featherweight)
Taku Takaiwa defeats Nawid Ullah Saadi via TKO at 0:58 of round one (Kickboxing – 139 lbs)
Jason Seddoh defeats Vinay Kundu via KO at 3:21 of round one
