“I wasn't really at my 100 percent” - Tawanchai says he failed to show his full potential in defeat to Masaaki Noiri

Thai superstar Tawanchai PK Saenchai says that he was not at his best form when he took on and lost to Japanese Masaaki Noiri in his last match. He, however, is not using it as an excuse but is vowing to be better if ever a rematch comes along.

The reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai world champion fell to Noiri by TKO in the third round of their clash for the interim featherweight kickboxing belt in March in Japan.

Tawanchai made early inroads in the contest with his kicks and punches but Noiri was undeterred and stayed the course until he found the opening he was looking for in the third round, landing a solid left to the chin following a ferocious exchange, sending his opponent to the canvas.

The Thai star managed to beat the count but was not out of the woods yet as Noiri went for the finish with a barrage of strikes that Tawanchai had no answer to, leaving the referee with no choice but to call a halt to the contest at the 1:55 mark of the third round.

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In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Tawanchai looked back to his clash with Noiri, sharing that he was not at his best form at that time, making it hard for him to produce the kind of performance that he wanted.

The 26-year-old striker said:

"Yes, definitely, I need to get a rematch with Noiri. I feel like at that time I wasn't really at my 100 percent and I really want to get the rematch, and if this time I am at the peak of my physical condition, like at 100 percent and I still lose to him, then I'll accept that."

Check out what Tawanchai had to say below:

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Tawanchai seeks bounce-back win at ONE Friday Fights 137

While he awaits a rematch with Masaaki Noiri, Tawanchai plunges back into action this week, seeking to get a bounce-back win.

He will battle Liu Mengyang of China in a headlining featherweight kickboxing match at ONE Friday Fights 137 on Dec. 19 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Heading into the contest, Tawanchai is armed with the lessons from the tough TKO loss he was dealt by Noiri last time around. He is using the contest to get back on track and resume his push for two-sport glory under ONE Championship.

Out to make it back-to-back loses for him is Liu, who is coming off a decision victory over Thai Shadow Singha Mawynn in September.

ONE Friday Fights 137 is available live and free on watch.onefc.com and ONE's YouTube and Facebook pages.

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Edited by Aziel Karthak