After making his mark in ONE Super Series with a debut victory, Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy is looking to topple one of the greatest kickboxers ever in his second appearance ONE Championship.
The 25-year-old will take on Armenian-Italian superstar Giorgio Petrosyan in a 71-kilogram catch weight bout at the Singapore Indoor Stadium at ONE: HEART OF THE LION on Friday, 9 November.
Sorgraw will be conceding age and experience advantages to his more decorated opponent, but with a Lumpinee Stadium title and a WMC World Title under his belt, he heads into the contest excited and confident about the test that lies ahead of him.
“I am aware that only two people have ever beat him,” Sorgraw says.
“It is going to be a huge challenge for me, but something I feel I can do.”
Petrosyan is, quite simply, one of the best kickboxers to ever lace up a set of gloves. He has been on top of the world for the past decade, taking on and beating all comers in a host of promotions across the globe.
Now he is a part of ONE Super Series, where the world’s top strikers are converging to test their skills in the world’s largest martial arts organisation.
While Sorgraw realises he heads into the bout as the underdog, he is looking forward to testing his evolving skillset against the pound-for-pound star.
“I’m truly excited for the opportunity to share the cage with such a highly regarded fighter on such a big platform,” he says.
Sorgraw has trained tirelessly for the contest at the Petchyindee Academy to ensure he heads into the contest in peak form.
Six-hour sessions in the gym have sharpened his world-class striking, and he feels he is ready to defeat Petrosyan.
But while he has trained hard to ensure his skillset is primed and ready, Sorgraw admits he has not put together a game plan for the contest.
Instead, he prefers to react to what he sees during the contest and adjust his strategy accordingly.
“I’ve studied his game, and am aware of his level,” he says. “Only once the fight starts will I know exactly what my fight plan will be.”
A Muay Thai world champion, Sorgraw is stepping out of his comfort zone to face a kickboxing great under kickboxing rules inside a cage.
But the Thai is prepared to step into the Singapore Indoor Stadium, spring a shock, and claim the biggest victory of his martial arts career.
“I would be so proud if I could beat him at his own game in a discipline that is not my own,” Sorgraw says.
