Two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Kongsuk Sitsarawatsuer was at his ferocious best in his bantamweight Muay Thai co-main event clash against Iranian promotional newcomer Babak Solouki.

The Thai earned a third-round finish at ONE Friday Fights 146 on Friday, March 13, live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium, but he had to dig deep to get this one done inside the distance.

Kongsuk and Solouki began by trading body shots, testing each other’s guard early. The opening frame ended with a short elbow from the Thai after a close-range exchange.

In the second round, the 25-year-old ramped up the pressure and backed his foe toward the ropes. A solid left hook staggered Solouki, and shortly after, the Sitsarawatseur man fired a left middle kick that sent the newcomer reeling into the ropes.

Realizing he was falling behind on the scorecards, Solouki increased his aggression and launched punching combinations to the body in the third canto. Kongsuk, meanwhile, responded with successive knees to the midsection.

Solouki, however, showed no fear and retaliated with an uppercut. But the Thai slipped and countered with a left kick to the back that sent the Iranian to the canvas for the first knockdown.

The Iranian beat the count, but moments later, his 25-year-old foe sealed the finish with a right punch-left hook combo.

The knockdown forced the referee to wave off the contest at 2:27 of the third round, which improved Kongsuk’s record to 69-21.

ONE Friday Fights 146 Second Half Quick Results:

• Kongsuk Sitsarawatsuer defeats Babak Solouki via KO at 2:27 of round three (Muay Thai – Bantamweight)
• Singharat SitKhuntab defeats Kajornklai Sor Sor Toipadriew via KO at 1:19 of round two (Muay Thai – Bantamweight)
• Arsoonnoi Sitjasing defeats Nuapayak Jitmuangnon via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – Flyweight)
• Kongmeechai Sor Bangrajan defeats Andrii Mezentsev via split decision (Muay Thai – Strawweight)
• Dias Otegen defeats Malambo Pelaez via unanimous decision (MMA – Lightweight)
• Prabsuk Sitkaewprapon and Ye Yint Naung battle to a no contest (Muay Thai – Bantamweight)
• Sheng Yizhuo defeats Fuga Tokoro via unanimous decision (Kickboxing – Strawweight)

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