Thai knockout machine embraces new identity ahead of ONE Friday Fights 147

The name has changed. The fighter hasn’t. Ratchasiesan Laochokcharoen — known to ONE Championship fans as Kulabdam, the explosive southpaw nicknamed “Left Meteorite” — steps into a new chapter of his career at ONE Friday Fights 147 on March 20 against Uzair Ismoiljonov in a bantamweight Muay Thai bout at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The rebrand came with a sponsorship deal that renamed him Ratchasiesan — “The Lion of Isan.” The former two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion embraced it immediately. He sees the lion as a natural fit for who he is and how he fights.

The change also follows a majority decision loss to PTT Apichart Farm at ONE Friday Fights 137 last December. He has since spent months dissecting the result. He knows exactly where it went wrong.

“I have to admit it wasn’t my best performance and I made a huge mistake early on. I wasn’t expecting him to lead with punches and I thought for sure he’d come in to clinch and knee, so I got caught off guard and dropped,” Ratchasiesan said.

“After losing that count in the first round, I spent the rest of the fight frustrated, trying to chase him down, which really messed up my rhythm. I was hitting him hard enough to hurt my own hands, but man, he is tough.”

Ratchasiesan arrives at ONE Friday Fights 147 sharper and hungrier

The name change wasn’t the only move Ratchasiesan made in the off-season. He relocated his training to PK Saenchai Muaythaigym, where he works daily alongside ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PongSuphan PK and ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai.

Twenty days of elite training have sharpened every weapon in his arsenal. He promises fans a more explosive version of himself and offers a word of reassurance to those who grew up watching him dominate under his old name.

“To my fans, don’t worry about the name change. My style is still the same Kulabdam you know – I’m a fighter who leaves it all in the ring,” he said.

“I’ve been training at PK Saenchai for the last 20 days, working with world-class partners and trainers. You’re going to see a much more aggressive and dangerous version of me. New name, new gym, and a more explosive style. On March 20, ‘The Lion of Isan’ is going to roar!”

Standing across from him is Ismoiljonov, a Uzbek striker who has gone 2-0 under kickboxing rules since a Muay Thai debut setback, most recently stopping Takahashi Kiyoto in the first round at ONE Friday Fights 117. The return to Muay Thai adds a layer of uncertainty for the challenger. For Ratchasiesan, it plays to one of his clearest strengths — he is 8-0-1 against international opponents inside ONE Championship.

“I actually prefer fighting foreigners – I feel less tense and can just go out there and do my thing without any extra pressure.

“My record against international fighters is undefeated, and I plan on keeping it that way forever,” Ratchasiesan said.