Nontachai Jitmuangnon will switch weight classes for his upcoming redemption fight. The 26-year-old Thai striker left featherweight to pursue unfinished business against the only man to beat him in the promotion.
Nontachai faces Soner Sen in bantamweight Muay Thai A Friday fights 130 on Friday, October 24 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Jitmuangnon Gym representative suffered his promotional loss to No. 5 ranked bantamweight Abdulla Dayakaev at ONE Fight Night 33 in March, ending his perfect 3-0 start that included a knockout win over Dmitrii Kovtun.
Dayakaev’s injury-time victory continues to fuel Nontachai’s motivation months after the devastating setback. His move up the weight class represents a calculated strategy rather than a desperate reaction. The Thai striker previously enjoyed size advantages when opponents moved up to meet him at featherweight. Now he’s willing to compete at bantamweight long-term if it means settling scores.
Sen trains with Dayakaev at Team Mehdi Zatout, adding extra motivation to Nontachai’s preparation. The Turkish striker brings identical camp knowledge that can reveal tendencies that Nontachai must overcome. That connection transformed this matchup into an opportunity beyond the typical ranking implications.
“This fight feels like a new start for me. I am fighting again in ONE Friday Fights and have moved down to the bantamweight division, with the clear goal of seeking a rematch with Abdulla,” he said.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity to headline the event for the first time. I’m determined to come back and win this fight. I’ve trained twice as hard as before.”
Nontachai Jitmuangnon aims for dominance against Soner Sen
Soner Sen has racked up six wins since his promotional debut through forward pressure and sharp boxing combinations. The 29-year-old Turkish forward became a fan favorite before his August trilogy loss to Worapon Lukjaoporong revealed exploitable weaknesses. His clinching battles against traditional Muay Thai specialists provided a blueprint for opponents who studied his approach.
Sen’s preparation addresses these shortcomings by regularly sparring with ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nabil Anane. The height, speed and creativity of his champion training partner helped fine-tune the distance control that struggled against Worapon’s relentless pressure. His counterattack strategy is to neutralize Nontachai before a clinch exchange occurs.
Nontachai Jitmuangnon identified Sen’s vulnerability through detailed film research. The Thai attacker’s natural knee-fighting skills are a perfect foil to Sen’s desire to keep his distance through punches and leg kicks. Indoor combat represents Nontachai’s greatest strength, creating a stylistic nightmare for opponents uncomfortable in tight combat.
“Soner is a fighter who leads with his jab and uses leg kicks to interrupt opponents. His most dangerous weapon are his punches, which are both powerful and sharp,” he said.
“Soner’s obvious weakness is that he doesn’t handle close combat well. We saw in his loss to Worapon that he struggled there. My strength is in fighting from the inside, as I am a knee fighter by nature, and I plan to use that to my greatest advantage.”
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