Kongchai Aims for Knockout Against Mehrdad Khanzadeh at ONE Friday Fights 148

Kongchai Chanaidonmueang has consistently impressed in the ONE Friday Fights series. The former Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion is now seeking a definitive finish when he faces Iranian slugger Mehrdad Khanzadeh in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 148 on Friday, March 27. The event will be broadcast live during Asia primetime from Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium.

The 23-year-old southpaw boasts an impressive career record of 76-16, with 10 victories already under his belt in the Friday Fights series. This strawweight Muay Thai encounter was originally scheduled for ONE Friday Fights 146 but was postponed due to Khanzadeh's illness.

Kongchai enters the fight on a two-bout winning streak, but he felt his recent main event decision win over Thway Lin Htet lacked the decisive power he craves.

"Everything went as planned, and I didn't rush, but I wasn't completely satisfied with my performance. Having been out of the ring for three months, my strikes felt a bit sluggish," Kongchai admitted.

"It's a shame I couldn't finish the fight. There were a couple of clear opportunities where he was visibly hurt, especially in the third round, but I just couldn't put him away."

Kongchai Enhances Boxing Skills for Khanzadeh Showdown

Mehrdad Khanzadeh is a formidable opponent. The Sor Dechapan fighter from Ardabil, Iran, recently showcased his resilience by overcoming a knockdown to earn a split-decision victory at ONE Friday Fights 125. That performance solidified his reputation as a heavy-handed, tenacious fighter with his own knockout aspirations.

Kongchai has diligently studied his opponent, identified the threat, and made a crucial adjustment: intensifying his boxing training. The additional preparation time provided by the postponement has allowed him to sharpen his punches, complementing the powerful kicks for which he is renowned.

"Mehrdad is in excellent form. He recently defeated Kritpet, who is a former opponent of mine, and he looked incredibly sharp in that bout. His hands are dangerous, so I've been training hard to stay alert and maintain a strong guard," Kongchai stated.

"I can't solely rely on my kicks; I need to respond with my own punches as well. I've focused significantly on my boxing to match him, combining both kicks and punches."

Witnessing his teammate Suriyanlek Por Yenying's recent victory has further fueled Kongchai's motivation. He aspires to deliver a similarly impactful performance, hoping to secure the lucrative six-figure contract he has been pursuing throughout his tenure in the series.

"I want to continue accumulating wins and chase that contract again. I aim to deliver exciting fights. His victory gave me a tremendous boost," Kongchai expressed.

"He's primarily a puncher, and I'm a kicker, but I've incorporated more boxing into my strategy. If he wants to trade blows, I want him to understand that I possess strong hands, not just kicks. I'll be looking for openings dynamically. This time, I'm truly seeking the finish, utilizing every tool in my arsenal."