Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium has become a breeding ground for high-stakes action over the past two years, and The Inner Circle on May 22 looks ready to continue that trend.
Originally expected to feature Thai superstar Superbon against “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang for the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title, the card took a dramatic turn after the defending king withdrew due to injury. However, instead of losing momentum, the reshuffled lineup somehow became even more explosive.
Now, the blinding spotlight shifts toward a collection of surging contenders, undefeated wrecking machines, and fearless young stars trying to force their way into the World Title conversation at the absolute highest level of ONE Championship.
Here are three reasons why The Inner Circle this Friday, live in Asia primetime via live.onefc.com, could end up delivering one of the most unforgettable striking cards of the year.
#1 Yod-IQ’s Run To The Top Starts With Undefeated Nabati
Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri has steadily constructed one of the most remarkable runs on the ONE Friday Fights circuit.
The 24-year-old Thai technician rattled off 11 victories across the weekly spectacle, sharpening his elite reputation as one of the smartest young strikers in the sport. But his true breakout moment came at ONE Friday Fights 137, when he completely flattened Alexey Balyko with a picture-perfect head kick to earn a well-deserved six-figure contract and a permanent place on ONE’s global roster.
Now, the real test begins.
Standing across from him will be undefeated Russian knockout artist Kiamran Nabati, who enters the fray carrying a spotless 22-0 professional record and a fearsome reputation for turning fights ugly in a hurry.
Stylistically, this matchup is an absolute powder keg.
Yod-IQ thrives on distance management, timing, balance, and sheer composure. Nabati, meanwhile, fights like a man trying to break the floorboards beneath the ring. The Russian star marches forward with heavy pressure, devastating combinations, and the kind of raw confidence that forces opponents into survival mode almost immediately.
Unlike many overly aggressive fighters, Nabati has already proven he can hang with the elite.
After blasting through Suablack Tor Pran49 in the opening round to secure his own six-figure contract, the Archangel Michael representative followed it up with a highly composed decision victory over legendary former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama.
After his no contest against Ferrari Fairtex in January 2025, the undefeated Russian is hungrier than ever to prove he belongs at the top of the bantamweight Muay Thai division.
For Yod-IQ, this is the exact kind of litmus test that determines whether someone is merely a promising prospect or a genuine World Title contender. For Nabati, it is another golden opportunity to prove his unblemished run is built on world-class ability, not just power and momentum.
#2 World Title Challengers Could Emerge
Even without Superbon defending his crown, the featherweight and atomweight kickboxing divisions still carry massive, landscape-shifting implications at The Inner Circle.
Liu Mengyang remains one of the most fascinating strikers anywhere on the planet right now.
The Chinese sensation announced himself to the world by dropping Masaaki Noiri just 20 seconds into their clash at ONE Friday Fights 92 before handing the Japanese superstar a unanimous decision defeat.
Months later, he rebounded from a narrow loss to Mohammad Siasarani with a strong win over Shadow Mavinn, and then absolutely detonated the striking world with a vicious 52-second calf-kick knockout over reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai.
That highlight-reel knockout did not just go viral. It changed the entire temperature of the featherweight division. Now, Liu must protect his massive momentum against highly dangerous Venezuelan striker Gabriel Pereira.
At first glance, Pereira may seem like a replacement opponent stepping into a difficult spot. But the Eagle Muay Thai representative has quietly looked razor-sharp since joining the world’s largest martial arts organization. He boasts a stellar 40-1 professional record, has gone 2-0 in the promotion, and brings a highly composed style that could create real problems if Liu becomes reckless while chasing another spectacular finish.
That exact same tension exists in the atomweight kickboxing clash between Japanese veteran Kana “Krusher Queen” Morimoto and Myanmar striking sensation Vero.
Both women know a statement win could push them dangerously close to the front of the line to challenge reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.
The former K-1 Champion, Morimoto, remains one of the most universally respected names in women’s kickboxing, bringing years of elite experience and high-profile battles into Lumpinee Stadium. She most recently defeated former three-sport queen Stamp Fairtex at ONE 173 last November.
Across from her stands Vero, whose size, aggression, and relentless forward pressure have steadily made her one of the division’s most grueling matchups. The 29-year-old is riding a stellar three-fight winning streak, with her most recent victory coming via a thrilling clash over Shir Cohen at ONE Friday Fights 143 this past February.
With the atomweight division heating up, this fight feels less like a regular showcase and more like a high-speed collision between two warriors trying to force themselves into the World Title picture.
#3 Muay Thai’s Next Generation Finally Collide
There is something inherently dangerous about young fighters who truly believe they can run through anybody.
That electric energy will be on full display when Yonis Anane meets Freddie Haggerty in a strawweight Muay Thai battle that feels like the ultimate sleeper fight of the night.
Yonis, the younger brother of former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane, has built massive momentum of his own with sharp performances and an in-ring composure well beyond his years. The 18-year-old has already shown brilliant flashes of the same rangy style and surgical timing that helped his older brother climb to the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
After compiling three victories on the global stage, the youngest-ever WBC Muay Thai World Champion dropped a razor-close decision at ONE Friday Fights 147 this past March. Now, the French-Thai striker aims to return to his winning ways.
Haggerty carries a similarly loaded surname and the immense expectations that come with it. The younger brother of reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty has steadily carved out his own unique path with aggressive boxing combinations, supreme confidence under fire, and a gritty willingness to trade in the pocket.
He has already picked up three stoppage victories in the ONE Friday Fights spectacle, only suffering his lone setback when testing the waters up at flyweight.
This matchup carries the distinct feeling of two future global superstars trying to skip the line entirely.
Fights like this tend to matter long after the final bell rings, especially when two fearless young strikers meet in the middle of Lumpinee Stadium with absolutely no intention of taking a single backward step.
All the action goes down live and exclusively for members only at The Inner Circle.