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‘My Natural Power Comes Back’ – Ratchasiesan Reveals Motivation Behind Move To Featherweight Ahead Of The Inner Circle On May 1
Former two-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion “Left Meteorite” Ratchasiesan Laochokcharoen’s motivation is at an all-time high.
The 27-year-old southpaw formerly known as Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai squares off against near-flawless Russian sensation Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov in the main event of The Inner Circle, airing live from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, May 1.
Both men will make their featherweight Muay Thai debut, and the Thai star believes the decision to move up a weight class will greatly benefit his career and ultimately lead him to the life-changing six-figure contract and global roster spot he seeks.
Ratchasiesan embodies the phrase “new year, new me.”
He kicked off 2026 with a brand-new ring name, a fresh training camp at PK Saenchai Muaythaigym and Somboon Farm, and as an elected official in the Sub-District Administrative Organization in his hometown.
Also, Ratchasiesan got his career back on the right track. After losing his momentum last December, he returned three months later and knocked out Uzbekistan’s Uzair Ismoiljonov in the third round of their bantamweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Friday Fights 147.
Though “Left Meteorite” claimed a decisive victory, he also realized that it was becoming increasingly more difficult to make the bantamweight limit.
With that in mind, he has moved up a weight class and makes his featherweight Muay Thai debut against Osmanov. Most importantly, Ratchasiesan has every reason to believe that he will be more dangerous in this division.
The Thai explained:
“Moving up to featherweight definitely had to do with my last fight where I struggled with the weight, but there were other factors too. My body just can’t stay at the old weight anymore. I’ve fought at that weight for years, but now, it’s like my body is fighting back.
“I looked at the 145-pound division and realized that while the guys are bigger and taller, which is normal for foreigners, the impact and power should be about the same. I’m a puncher, so when I fight at a weight where I feel comfortable and healthy, my natural power comes back. My punches will definitely be heavier this time.”
Osmanov has been dominant in his career, chalking up a 14-1 professional record. That sole blemish came at the hands of recent ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title challenger Yuki Yoza, who engaged with the Russian in a thrilling three-round war.
Following that defeat, Osmanov made the switch from kickboxing to Muay Thai, and the early returns seem promising. The 24-year-old claimed back-to-back victories, knocking out Kampeetewada Sitthikul and edging out former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex.
Ratchasiesan acknowledges that his forthcoming rival has slick footwork, quick hands, and a tendency to throw high-volume combinations. But the Thai believes he carries much more firepower in his shots, and he also thinks his vast Muay Thai experience will give him a considerable advantage.
He said:
“I’m going to focus on heavy strikes. If he’s too fast and stays out of reach, I’ll start by chopping down his legs. If I take out his movement, his speed won’t matter anymore. Once his legs are hurt, he’ll slow down, and that’s when we’ll trade. I believe I hit harder, so I have the edge there.
“Plus, I’ve been fighting Muay Thai my whole life. I have more experience with the full range of weapons, especially in the clinch with elbows. If I find the chance to land one, I definitely will.”
Ratchasiesan Driven By Life-Changing Contract Opportunity
There is another reason Ratchasiesan Laochokcharoen is extra motivated and wants to rip through Osmanov: he desperately wants the life-changing six-figure contract and global roster spot with ONE Championship.
The Thai southpaw has been on the cusp of achieving that, having built respectable winning streaks and then just narrowly losing when the stakes seem the highest. In fact, “Left Meteorite” strung together four victories when he lost to PTT Apichart Farm by majority decision last December.
That ultimately ignited a new fire in Ratchasiesan’s soul, and he is determined to leave Lumpinee Stadium on May 1 with a highlight-reel moment that will push him closer to the contract and roster spot.
He said:
“My goal for this fight is a knockout because I really want that contract. I had a chance when I fought with PTT, but I missed out, and now that I’m getting older, I can’t let these opportunities slip away again.”
