ONE FC Announces Inner Circle 23 Lineup Featuring Title Fight at Lumpinee Stadium
The promotion’s fifth event of the series returns to Bangkok on Friday, July 24, with a card headlined by a clash between a veteran legend and a rising Malaysian star.
ONE FC has confirmed the details for Inner Circle 23, a kickboxing and Muay Thai event scheduled for Friday, July 24, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. The promotion’s fifth installment of the Inner Circle series will feature five bouts, with the main event centring on a contest for the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title.
The headline attraction sees 42-year-old Sam-A Gaiyanghadao challenge 22-year-old Aliff Sor Dechapan. Gaiyanghadao, representing Evolve MMA, enters with a 378-50 record and a history of holding multiple belts across the sport’s most prestigious stadiums. He most recently defeated Elmehdi El Jamari inside two rounds. Sor Dechapan arrives on a five-fight winning streak, seeking to become the first athlete from Malaysia to win a ONE World Championship. The winner of this bout is set to face divisional champion Prajanchai PongSuphan PK in a unification match, following the champion’s recent injury absence.
In the co-main event, seven-time Muay Thai World Champion Panpayak Jitmuangnon will compete in a bantamweight kickboxing bout against Anuar Cisneros. Panpayak, known as “The Angel Warrior,” remains undefeated in kickboxing within ONE, having secured his first two victories at flyweight before moving up to bantamweight. He recently defeated Othman Rhouni by split decision. Cisneros, representing Silk Muay Thai, brings a youthful aggression to the ring, aiming to make a statement against the experienced Thai fighter.
A significant debut is also scheduled for the card, as Ryujin Nasukawa makes his ONE FC appearance against Thongpoon PK Saenchai in a strawweight kickboxing match. Nasukawa, the younger brother of retired icon Tenshin Nasukawa, holds a 17-3 record and previously held the ISKA K-1 Strawweight World Championship. He faces a stern test against Thongpoon, who has accumulated 80 career victories and four knockout wins since joining the organisation.
The event will be streamed exclusively for members at live.onefc.com. The card offers a mix of legacy and ambition, with Gaiyanghadao pursuing gold at 42 and Sor Dechapan looking to cement his status as a new champion. For Panpayak, the bout serves as a potential message to divisional ruler Jonathan Haggerty, while Nasukawa seeks to establish a career separate from his brother’s shadow.
