The Inner Circle 43: ONE Championship Confirms Prajanchai Vs. Aliff Unification

ONE Championship has announced one of the most anticipated title fights of the year. Reigning ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PongSuphan PK and interim king Aliff Sor Dechapan will clash in a unification bout at The Inner Circle 43 on Friday, December 18.

The rivalry between these two champions has been simmering for over a year. It reached its peak in July when Aliff knocked out the legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao to claim the interim belt, become Malaysia’s first-ever ONE World Champion, and earn a US$50,000 performance bonus in the process.

A faceoff between the two champions followed, and on December 18, the staredown finally becomes a fight.

Prajanchai, 32, is one of the greatest pound-for-pound strikers on the planet. The PK Saenchai Muaythaigym product carries a 344-54 career record and a 7-3 ONE record into the unification bout, having claimed the Muay Thai throne in his opening promotional bout by defeating Sam-A Gaiyanghadao in 2021.

After losing the title in his first defense in 2022, the Bangkok native fought his way back by knocking out Sam-A to claim the interim belt before unifying it with a knockout of Joseph Lasiri in 2023 to avenge that previous loss. He defended the undisputed crown against Ellis Badr Barboza last year before surgery sidelined him.

Last week, he returned to action in kickboxing but suffered a setback, making this unification bout an even more important opportunity to reestablish himself as the division’s dominant force.

Aliff, 22, has been on the most extraordinary run of his career. The Sor Dechapan product carries a 63-9 career record and a 10-2 ONE record into the contest, riding a six-fight winning streak that culminated in the interim title victory.

For the Thai-Malaysian striker, December 18 is the opportunity to unify the belts and cement his status as the undisputed king of the strawweight Muay Thai division.

Two champions. One belt. Bangkok on December 18 is set for a unification fight that the strawweight Muay Thai division has been waiting for.