Tawanchai PK Saenchai, the 134-win veteran, officially vacated his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title on Tuesday, July 21. This move immediately elevated interim champion Nico “King of the North” Carrillo to the undisputed divisional king, but Tawanchai made it clear this decision came down to more than just injury.
The Heavy Crown and The Road to Recovery
This wasn’t a choice Tawanchai, 27, ever wanted to make, especially after building a legacy few in the sport can even dream of matching. His reign saw him defend his belt with pride, feeling “so happy and honored to defend my belt in front of fans all over the world.” Like any champion, he wanted to hold onto that title for as long as possible. So why step down? The lingering effects of an injury suffered back in December 2025 during his clash against “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang forced his hand. That injury required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process, keeping him sidelined for months.
He took time to reflect, making the call entirely on his own terms. “I am officially announcing that I am vacating my World Championship Title today. I want to give the interim champion and the top-ranked contenders the chance to chase their dreams,” Tawanchai stated. He wasn’t pushed into it, realizing this was “the right path so the organization can keep moving forward.” He wants to see other fighters get their shot, and he wants the fans to “stay happy watching the new generation compete.” He’s a true champion, thanking Mr. Sia Khaek, ONE Championship, and every single fan for their support.
The Return Is Already On The Horizon
Stepping down from the throne doesn’t mean Tawanchai is stepping away from greatness. Not even close. The man guaranteed fans he is “far from done chasing greatness in the world’s largest martial arts organization.” His immediate focus is recovery, letting his body heal away from the spotlight. He finally broke his silence, giving us a real update: “I’m currently back to about 70 to 80 percent. I expect to make my return pretty soon, likely early next year.”
And when he does return, he’s not just coming back to participate. This 134-win veteran plans to come back “firing on all cylinders” and he’s got his eyes set on the very gold he just relinquished. You heard that right. He’s coming back for that title. “Congratulations to them. I’m truly happy for them to chase their dream. We will definitely cross paths in the ring,” he declared. He plans to take it “fight by fight,” focusing on performance without “extra pressure” once he’s medically cleared. And don’t doubt his discipline; he is 100 percent sticking with Muay Thai.
So, while Nico Carrillo enjoys his new undisputed status, the question isn’t *if* Tawanchai will be back in the ring, but *when* he clashes with the new champ. We’re looking at an early next year return, and you know the entire featherweight division just got put on notice. Tawanchai is coming for his throne, folks, and that’s a showdown you won’t want to miss.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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