Panrit eyes redemption against Nakrob at ONE Friday Fights 143: “My goal is a knockout”

Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree is carrying the weight of back-to-back promotional defeats into Friday’s featured bout — and he’s treating it as the fight that defines his ONE Championship future. The Superbon Training Camp representative faces Nakrob Fairtex in bantamweight Muay Thai action at ONE Friday Fights 143 on February 20 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 29-year-old brings 74 career victories to the ring, but his recent ONE Championship form tells a rougher story. After stringing together four consecutive wins in 2024 that positioned him as a genuine threat in the division, Panrit dropped his last two outings. He’s gone back to the drawing board after each setback — adjusting strategy, identifying mistakes, and sharpening his game — but the margin for error on Friday night is thin.

“I’m back to having two straight losses in the promotion again, but I just have to keep developing,” Panrit said. “I need to hurry up and fix my mistakes to get better. I’m not the type to give up easily. I’m constantly pushing myself to get back to that peak form I had when I won four fights in a row. Last year was a mix of ups and downs for me. After every fight, I went back to adjust my game, plan my strategy, and try to improve my skills. I’m always taking those mistakes and trying to fix them.”

Panrit banking on speed and Superbon’s guidance against Nakrob

Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree knows exactly who he’s standing across from on Friday. Nakrob Fairtex is a power puncher who has built his reputation on forward pressure and heavy hands. Panrit isn’t going to try to match him shot-for-shot — he’s going to beat him to the punch. Training under ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon has given him a clear tactical picture heading into the bout, with the emphasis firmly on movement, rhythm, and picking his spots rather than engaging in the kind of firefight Nakrob thrives in.

A third straight loss would represent new territory for Panrit in ONE Championship — ground he has no intention of visiting. His spot on the weekly series, and the trajectory of his career inside the world’s largest martial arts organization, hinge on what he produces in the ring on Thursday night. He isn’t shying away from that reality. He’s using it as fuel.

“For this fight, Superbon has been training me extra hard on my kicking and punching. He told me to find the right rhythm to move in and out and not to take unnecessary risks in trades since I’m the smaller fighter,” Panrit said. “Nakrob is famous for his toughness. I might not match him in terms of pure strength, but when it comes to speed, I’m confident I can take him. My goal is a knockout. I want that win and the bonus.”