2024.09.15

On Sunday, September 29th, former ONE Kickboxing Flyweight (-61kg) Champion Petchdam Petchyindee Academy (Thailand/Petchyindee Academy) will make his K-1 debut at K-1 WORLD MAX 2024, held at Yoyogi National Stadium 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo. In a Super Fight (-63kg, 3 x 3 min., 1 ext. round), he will face the 6th K-1 WORLD GP Lightweight Champion Yuki Yoza (Japan/Team VASILEUS). In a recent interview, Petchdam shared his thoughts about his first fight in K-1.

Petchdam boasts an impressive resume, having won the Lumpinee Stadium Bantamweight Championship and the WBC Muay Thai World Featherweight Championship. He also triumphed in the TOYOTA Marathon Tournament at Featherweight. Since joining ONE Championship in 2018, he secured three consecutive victories, and in May 2019, he defeated Elias Mahmoudi to become the inaugural ONE Kickboxing Flyweight (-61kg) Champion. Although he lost the title to Ilias Ennahachi in August, he bounced back with a decision win over MOMOTARO in January 2020. He also faced Rodtang Jitmuangnon in July 2020 and had an intense battle with Taiki Naito in September 2021.

Yoza, on the other hand, has been on a strong run. In March of this year, he fought Hiroshi Nakamura in the RISE vs. K-1 showdown, winning after a mid-fight stoppage due to an accidental low blow. Following that, in July, he defeated former champion Gonnapar Weerasakreck with a first-round KO, cementing his place as a formidable force.

—Can you talk about the pace of your matches since fighting Taiki Naito in September 2021?


”Losing to Naito in 2021, was difficult for me, because I felt it was a fight I should’ve won. It really got to me mentally. But I kept going—fought in Muay Thai throughout 2022, and in 2023, and also fought in RWS.”

—There’s no clinching or elbows in K01. What made you decide to challenge yourself to fight under K-1 rules.


”I’ve never fought in K-1 before, so it’s a big challenge, but I want to see how well I can adapt to these rules and learn from the experience.”

—You’ve won numerous titles. Where does your current motivation come from?


”I’ve been a champion in both Muay Thai and kickboxing, but this is my first time to fight in K-1. I don’t have a title there yet, so my motivation is simple: to give it my all and become the K-1 champion.”

—Yuki Yoza, has a karate background. He just knocked out Gonnapar Weerasakreck in one round.


“Yeah, I’ve heard about Yoza’s KO win over Gonnapar. I know Yoza’s strong, but I still believe my Muay Thai technique will face up to his Karate.”

—Yoza has a wide range of powerful techniques, such as his low kicks. How confident are you you can handle them?


”I’ve fought kickboxers with similar styles many times before. My trainer has experience in Japan and has worked with Japanese fighters, so we’re well-prepared.”

—Do Yoza’s attacks worry you?


“Not at all.”
“Look, I’ve faced a lot of Japanese and Chinese fighters who tend to rely on punches and low kicks. I know what I’m up against and don’t have anything to fear.”

—Yoza has said he wants to be the world’s strongest fighter.


”You never know—he just might become the world’s strongest. But he’ll have to get past me, first.”

—Yoza trains with top Japanese fighters like Takeru and Masaki Noiri, who are currently in ONE. What do you think makes Japanese fighters strong?


“They’ve generally got speed, agility, and offensive power.”

—What would you say is the strength of Muay Thai fighters?


”Muay Thai fighters have great technical skills, and can finish a fight in a split second. We also study our footage after we lose, trying to figure out our weaknesses and improve. I believe that constant drive to get better is what makes us strong.”

—Lastly, can you share your ambitions and goals for K-1?


”I’ve never fought in K-1 before, but I am going to give it my all. I aim to get some good results, and become the next K-1 champion!”