Thai veteran Numsurin Chor Ketwina has spent years proving skeptics wrong through obscurity. The 30-year-old forward finally gained recognition by shocking established rival Songchainoi Kiatsongrit, opening championship doors that seemed permanently locked throughout his career.
Numsurin faces Nadaka for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai world title A 173 on Sunday, November 16 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The Bangkok native faces a 10-time Muay Thai world champion on a 39-fight winning streak after earning his $100,000 contract through the ONE Friday Fights platform.
Nadaka arrived as a celebrated prodigy whose talent attracted immediate attention. The Japanese striker captured belts from Rajadamnern Stadium, Lumpinee Stadium, WBC and WMC, establishing himself among the elite non-Thai competitors in Muay Thai history. His surgical precision and lightning strikes dismantled any challenger who tried to derail his momentum.
Numsurin’s journey followed a very different trajectory. The Tded99 representative struggled through anonymity until ONE Friday Fights provided his breakthrough platform. His perfect 5-0 record showed explosive power that forced matchmakers to take notice of his destructive capabilities against increasingly difficult opposition.
“My journey in ONE is slow, and I’m not really known. The last fight I [beat] Songchainoi has made me better known. “I have always been an underdog, but in the end I beat them all,” he said.
“Some may think I got lucky with one punch. But I prepared myself well, especially for the left hook. No one expected me to beat Songchainoi. It wasn’t much of a challenge and I’m not intimidated.”
Numsurin believes that speed training unlocks the victory blueprint
The August showdown against Songchainoi Kiatsongrit at ONE Friday Fights 122 proved pivotal for Numsurin Chor Ketwina. Most observers expected Songchainoi to secure a rematch opportunity against Nadaka. Instead, a devastating counter left hook in round two changed everything, giving Numsurin a majority decision victory that rewrote the championship narratives.
Careful preparation convinced Numsurin that he had cracked Nadaka’s technical code. The Japanese champion relies on quick footwork and accurate punches without knockout power, but can score knockdowns. Speed represents Nadaka’s main weapon, forcing Numsurin to improve his own speed during training camps.
Becoming the inaugural atomweight champion would validate years of sacrifice and obscurity. Representing Thailand on the world stage means the world to someone who has been laid off throughout his career. Joining the nation’s championship ranks would provide the ultimate validation while transforming his legacy from overlooked veteran to division pioneer.
“His fighting style involves fast footwork and precise weapons. Even though they are not very powerful, they can [knock] you to the ground. His strengths include speed and accurate weapons. My strength would be my punches. I do have a plan to put him to sleep. “I’m working on my speed to deal with his speed,” he said.
“He’s a very nice guy. Japanese people are generally nice. I like him. But on stage there was no mercy.”
#Numsurin #embraces #underdog #role #Nadaka #mercy #BJPenn.com