Organised in conjunction with the MotoGP Thailand, the four day long event was hosted by the Sports Authority of Thailand

There to initiate proceedings was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Mr. Pongpanu Sventarundra.

Fight fans from around the globe joined together to celebrate Muay Thai. Local students from around the region were invited to showcase their skills.

Performances included Wai Kru, Muay Boran, and Keeta Muay Thai demonstrations. Child fighters also joined in hitting pads, and doing exhibition sparring matches for the audience.

Representing the Kru Muay Association, Senior Grand Master Phosawat Saengsawang and Dr. Chow Yotawa, both from Mahasarakham University, gave out Mongkol making lessons. More than 20 people joined to make their own Mongkols that were then subsequently blessed by the Masters.

The highlight of the event was a 10 fight card featuring Thailand’s top talent as well as international contenders. The crowd was also treated to an exhibition match featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Somrak Kamsing and Golden Era Champion Samart Payakaroon.

The fight card alone attracted over 20,000 spectators, from local fight fans to international spectators.

The weekend long event was co-hosted by the Nai Khanomtom Association, with proceeds of t-shirt sales going towards medical expenses for retired fighters.

With the MotoGP having signed a three year contract with the Chang International Circuit, things are looking good for the Expo. According to Nawin Chidchob, President of Buriram International Circuit, “Muay Thai Expo: The Legend of Muay Thai will continue to be part of the MotoGP for the foreseeable future.”

In the main event, reigning ONE Middleweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar will defend his title against Mohammad Karaki of Lebanon.

Aung La N Sang is Myanmar’s most successful athlete in history, whose impressive submission skills has earned him the moniker of ”The Burmese Python.” Born in Myitkyina in the mountainous Kachin State, he belongs to an ethnic minority known as the Kachin. Aung La N Sang captured the ONE Middleweight World Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Vitaly Bigdash in June 2017. In February 2018, he defeated Brazil’s Alexandre Machado to be crowned the ONE Light Heavyweight World Champion. Next up, the 33-year-old is set to defend his middleweight title against Mohammad Karaki.

Undefeated Lebanese mixed martial arts star Mohammad “O Lutador” Karaki is a 27-year-old athlete with an unblemished professional record of 9-0. The Phoenix Middleweight Champion, Karaki is considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists from the Middle East. He also formerly held the Desert Force Light Heavyweight and Middleweight titles. Of his nine victories, only one bout reached the final bell. With five submissions and three captivating knockouts to his name, Karaki is a feared finisher who is expected to bring the firepower when he meets “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang for the ONE Middleweight World Championship.

30-year-old Rafael “Indio” Nunes is a mixed martial artist from Sao Paulo, Brazil with a record of 11-2. He is the former Premier FC Lightweight Champion and has steamrolled through the competition in his home country with a knack for winning by exciting finish. All but one of Nunes’ wins have ended within the distance. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Nunes is equally comfortable finishing his opponents by submission or by strikes. He looks to showcase his multifaceted skill set in his next bout, as he is scheduled to face Movlid Khaibulaev.

28-year-old Movlid “Killer” Khaibulaev is a mixed martial artist who hails from Moscow, Russia and is currently undefeated with an immaculate 13-0 professional record. A combat sambo specialist, Khaibulaev combines both striking and grappling skills very well, giving his opponents different looks both on offense and on defense. Having spent the majority of his career competing in his home country, Khaibulaev is determined to find success in Asia. He will be putting his unblemished win-loss slate on the line against Rafael Nunes.

An unbeaten 33-year-old mixed martial artist from Yangon, Phoe Thaw is one of the fastest rising stars in Myanmar. Combining multiple expertise in lethwei, aikido, and kyokushin karate, Phoe Thaw currently competes professionally both in lethwei and in mixed martial arts. He sports a 3-0-2 record in lethwei, and a perfect 6-0 record in ONE Championship. So far in his career, the Yangon native has showcased a penchant for scoring highlight-reel stoppages, winning five of his six bouts by knockout. He will return to action in front of his hometown crowd against Keanu Subba.

Former MIMMA Featherweight Champion Keanu Subba is the younger brother of Gianni Subba, who is one of ONE Championship’s top flyweights. Following in his older brother’s footsteps, Keanu became interested in mixed martial arts in 2005, after watching a reality TV show which centered around the sport. Today, he is one of the most highly-regarded featherweight prospects in ONE Championship. Since making his promotional debut in October 2015, Subba has stopped several opponents, all in the first round. Next up, he faces local hero Phoe Thaw in Myanmar.

Ibrahim El Bouni is of Moroccan-Dutch descent, and was born and raised in Haarlem, a part of the Amsterdam metropolitan area. Known as “Mr. Cool,” El Bouni has developed into a true knockout artist with almost all of his wins coming by way of spectacular stoppage. He has put that overwhelming power to good use, even winning a one-night, eight-man tournament to become the A1WCC World Champion. A young man still just at the beginning of his career, a confident El Bouni says his biggest wins are yet to come, and is intent to rule over the heavier weight classes in ONE Super Series. He returns to action against Tarik Khbabez.

Tarik Khbabez is a professional kickboxer from the Netherlands, and he is one of the most popular martial artists in his home country. Training out of Arj Trainingen gym, and with a professional kickboxing record of 43-5-1, Khbabez is the former two-time Heavyweight Superkombat World Champion. Making his way back to action after a successful ONE Super Series debut, the 26-year-old will now take on Ibrahim El Bouni.

Former SFC Bantamweight Champion Emilio “The Honey Badger” Urrutia is originally from Miami, Florida, where he earned his purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and embarked on a successful amateur martial arts career. In 2013, Urrutia decided to travel to Thailand to prepare for his professional debut, but ended up falling in love with Asia and making the move permanent. In just four years, he has competed in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, accumulating an impressive amount of experience in such a short amount of time. Currently, the 31-year-old is one of the top featherweight talents in ONE Championship, and he will face Kazuki Tokudome in his next contest.

Former Pancrase Lightweight Champion Kazuki Tokudome is a martial artist from Tokyo, Japan. Training out of Paraestra Hachioji, Tokudome owns a professional mixed martial arts record of 18-9-1, and is considered one of Japan’s most highly-touted featherweight talents. With a background in multiple martial arts disciplines including judo, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing, Tokudome earned nine wins by knockout and three by submission. The 31-year-old is set to return to ONE Championship looking for victory against Emilio Urrutia.

Top King Muay Thai World Champion Han Zi Hao of China is a Muay Thai practitioner who is based out of Bangkok, Thailand. The 23-year-old already owns an impressive professional Muay Thai record of 58-15 early in his career. A representative of Mad Muay Thai Gym, Han now finds himself looking to display his incredible striking skills on the global stage of martial arts competition, joining elite athletes in the world of stand-up martial arts as part of ONE Super Series. Han’s next appearance for the promotion will be a difficult one, however, as the Chinese stalwart is set to face Ryan Jakiri in a ONE Super Series Kickboxing contest.

Ryan “The Filipino Assassin” Jakiri of Zamboanga City, Philippines is 26-year-old kickboxer with a professional record of 9-3. A representative of the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines, Jakiri is known for his calculated but aggressive offense, which has excited fans all throughout his home country. A six-time National Muay Thai Champion, Jakiri now joins the prestigious ONE Super Series and aims to make a name for himself among the world’s best strikers. He makes his promotional debut against Han Zi Hao.

Former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke is a three-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion with a Muay Thai record of 282-65-3 and an 8-4 professional mixed martial arts record. He is known as a technical striker with lightning-quick hands and feet, and he employs some of the most unique and creative offensive combinations. As a martial artist with over 25 years of competitive experience, Dejdamrong is a seasoned veteran. Next, the Thai warrior goes up against Himanshu Kaushik.

Indian bantamweight contender Himanshu Kaushik, who hails from Delhi, is a mixed martial artist with a professional record of 4-2. The 26-year-old Delhi Wushu Academy representative joined ONE Championship in February 2017, looking to prove himself on the global stage of martial arts competition. Although Kaushik has competed mostly in his native India, the former Indian National Wushu Champion believes that this is his chance to strike gold. With a wushu record of 71-7, Kaushik will put his quick strikes to the test against Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in his next contest.

Now a veteran of over 70 professional bouts, Luis Santos made his mixed martial arts debut in 2000, entering an eight-man open weight tournament. Some of the athletes weighed in at over 100kg, but “Sapo” still triumphed, as he stopped all three of his opponents in the opening round to claim the first title of his incredible career. Though Santos holds a black belt in judo, as well as a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the veteran warrior is best known for his fearsome striking prowess. More than half of Santos’ victories have come by knockout, owing to the otherworldly power in his strikes. With the ability to finish opponents in a myriad of ways, the 38-year-old is one of the top contenders in ONE Championship’s welterweight division. He takes on Daichi Abe next.

Daichi Abe is a professional mixed martial artist hailing from Tokyo, Japan. A professional kickboxer with a kickboxing record of 10-1, Abe is known for his rapid strikes and the ability to attack from multiple angles. The former Pancrase Welterweight Champion, Abe brings a mixed martial arts record of 6-2 into ONE Championship, joining a stacked welterweight division. The 26-year-old makes his promotional debut against the very dangerous Luis Santos.

Veteran Lethwei star and martial artist Ye Thway Ne of Myanmar made his ONE Championship debut in 2016, and has since gone 3-1 in his professional cage career. He also owns a stellar professional Lethwei record of 42-1-33 and is a two-time Lethwei Gold Belt Champion. Known as a solid stand-up technician and an aggressive striker, Ye Thway Ne is as good a striker as he is a mixed martial artist, and he is out to prove that point when he makes his highly-anticipated return to action. The 21-year-old will take on countryman Mite Yine next in what should be an exciting toe-to-toe battle.

28-year-old Mite Yine from Kayin State, Myanmar is a professional mixed martial artist with a 1-0 record. He is a former two-time Lethwei Gold Belt Champion who sports a professional lethwei record of 35-8-15. After a successful career in Myanmar’s national martial art, Mite Yine made his mixed martial arts debut at ONE: SPIRIT OF A WARRIOR last June, impressing with a first-round technical knockout. Up next, he faces fellow countryman Ye Thway Ne at home in Yangon.

“Tank” Ma Xu Dong is a 27-year-old professional mixed martial artist from Xi’an, China. He is a sanda specialist known for his smooth combination of striking and grappling. With a professional mixed martial arts record of 5-2, Ma is a bantamweight prospect looking to make waves in one of ONE Championship’s deepest divisions. In his most recent outing, Ma fell short of victory against Zhao Zhi Kang, and is looking to redeem himself against Ahmad Qais Jasoor.

29-year-old “Lycan” Ahmad Qais Jasoor is a mixed martial artist from Kabul, Afghanistan who sports a professional record of 4-1. The former HFC Bantamweight Champion, Jasoor mixed together multiple disciplines including combat sambo and boxing, among others. He joined ONE Championship last June, falling just short of victory against China’s Chen Lei. Now he is set to face Ma Xu Dong and will look to claim his first victory in ONE.

A product of the flourishing Muay Thai scene in Milan, Italy, 27-year-old Joseph “The Hurricane” Lasiri has become one of Europe’s most well-respected kickboxing competitors. Under the tutelage of Diego Calzolari, the first Italian to ever win at the world-famous Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Lasiri has captured the WBA Super Bantamweight and interim WBC Super Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championships over his career. Lasiri made his first ONE Super Series appearance last January in a historic bout against Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, the first-ever Muay Thai bout inside the ONE Championship cage. In his next outing, Lasiri seeks victory as he takes on Josh Tonna.

30-year-old Muay Thai practitioner and professional kickboxer Josh “Timebomb” Tonna is set for his second ONE Super Series appearance. Representing Stockade Training Centre in Canberra, Australia, Tonna is the former WMC International Muay Thai Champion with a professional Muay Thai record of 31-16-0. Tonna makes his way to the prestigious global stage of martial arts competition in ONE Championship. He will meet Joseph Lasiri in a flyweight battle.

Rudy “The Golden Boy” Agustian is a professional mixed martial artist with a record of 4-2. Hailing from Tangerang, Indonesia, Agustian is a Muay Thai specialist and former Indonesian Flyweight Champion. The 33-year-old joins ONE Championship’s stacked flyweight division, and gets his first assignment in the form of Bangladesh’s Asraful Islam.

Asraful “Warrior” Islam of Dhaka, Bangladesh is a professional mixed martial artist with a 2-1 record. A practitioner of the Bruce Lee-developed martial art of Jeet Kune Do, Islam is also a professional boxer with a record of 11-3. Representing Warriors Academy of MMA, Islam is a former National Boxing and Wushu Champion. The 22-year-old is also the former UFI Bantamweight Champion. Specializing in multiple disciplines, Islam is incredibly well-rounded and ready to put his skills on full display when he takes on Rudy Agustian next.

ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS

Friday, 26 October

Thuwunna Indoor Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar

Main Event

ONE Middleweight World Championship

Aung La N Sang (C) vs Mohmmad Karaki

Mixed Martial Arts: 93.0kg

Rafael Nunes vs Movlid Khaibulaev

Mixed Martial Arts: 70.3kg

Phoe Thaw vs Keanu Subba

Mixed Martial Arts: 70.3kg

Ibrahim El Bouni vs Tarik Khbabez

ONE Super Series Kickboxing: 102.1kg

Emilio Urrutia vs Kazuki Tokudome

Mixed Martial Arts: 70.3kg

Han Zi Hao vs Ryan Jakiri

ONE Super Series Kickboxing: 65.8kg

Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke vs Himanshu Kaushik

Mixed Martial Arts: 56.7kg

Luis Santos vs Daichi Abe

Mixed Martial Arts: 83.9kg

Ye Thway Ne vs Mite Yine

Mixed Martial Arts: 56.7kg

Ma Xu Dong vs Ahmad Qais Jasoor

Mixed Martial Arts: 65.8kg

Joseph Lasiri vs Josh Tonna

ONE Super Series Kickboxing: 61.2kg

Rudy Agustian vs Asraful Islam

Mixed Martial Arts: 61.2kg

The big-hitting Kiradech, who became the first Thai to earn a PGA TOUR card following top-five finishes at two World Golf Championships events earlier this year, will be amongst the Asian contingent eager to register a victory at the US$7 event, which begins at TPC Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

The tournament is the second event on the new 2018-19 PGA TOUR Season.

Following a three-week break at home, Kiradech is sufficiently recharged and plans to challenge for the title against a stellar line-up which includes title holder Pat Perez, 2017 FedExCup Champion Justin Thomas, last week’s season-opening event winner Kevin Tway and World Golf Hall of Famers Ernie Els and Davis Love III.

“It’s like a dream come true. When I was a kid, my goal has been to be a part of the PGA TOUR. Twenty years later, I hold a Tour card, I can’t explain how it feels but it is such a good moment for me.  To play my first PGA TOUR event, my first full card in Asia, especially in Malaysia, it feels like everything has happened in my golf career,” said Kiradech in a press conference today.

Five years ago, Kiradech won the Malaysian Open at TPC Kuala Lumpur’s West course and secured a third-place finish at the event, which remains his best career finish to date on the PGA TOUR. He hopes to enjoy a rub off the greens at the West course.

“It is such a pleasure to be here back in Malaysia again. I haven’t been here for two, three years, I think. I’ve been playing Malaysia Open many times, especially on this course I’m playing so well and have a good record over here. My career started here and it’s nice to be back home again,” said Kiradech.

He also raved about the newly renovated West course which switched to Tifeagle Bermuda grass on all greens, while the fairways and tee boxes have been re-turfed withCelebration Bermuda grass, creating firmer and faster playing conditions.

“The golf course is in good shape. The greens are fantastic. I think it’s the first time I see the ball roll on the fairways, which is like a good sign. The fairway will be more difficult because it’s going to roll off the fairways because previously, it just stops or just end up a yard away. The green is firmer and faster and there is lot of slope on the greens and I’m sure you’re going to hole less putts,” said Kiradech.

“My goal is to be in the top-60 in the FedExCup points, and keep the card as long as I can, same as my good friend Anirban (Lahiri). I think I’ve got enough experience to playing against the world-class players to do so.”

While Kiradech has his PGA TOUR card in hand for the 2018-19 Season, India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who is in the field as one of the top-10 players from the Asian Tour, is eager to get his way to the world’s premier circuit. After Malaysia, he also has a spot in next week’s CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in South Korea and the World Golf Championships event in Shanghai over the next fortnight.

“No doubt very, very important,” said Sharma, who came to international prominence with his T9 finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship where he led after the second and third rounds. “Obviously all three events are big events. You have some of the best players in the world playing.  Even next week in Korea and China, all these events are going to be really big.  They’re all PGA TOUR events,” said Sharma, 22.

“If I just play well in these three events, have consistent finishes, I feel like I’ll get off to a very good start and obviously help my world ranking. I feel like this start will really help me next year securing my card (on the PGA TOUR).”

Other stars competing in the event include 2014 FedExCup Champion Billy Horschel, Europe’s Ryder Cup star Paul Casey, double CIMB Classic winner Ryan Moore and Brandt Snedeker, who together with Moore finished runner-up at the Safeway Open after losing to Tway in a playoff on Sunday.  Malaysia’s Kim Leun Kwang and Ben Leong will fly the local flag.

The event will celebrate its ninth edition this year, and is the second tournament of the new 2018-19 PGA TOUR Season.

The PGA TOUR-sanctioned event features a limited field of 78 players comprising of the top 60 available players from the 2017-18 FedExCup points list, eight sponsor exemptions and the top-10 available players from the Asian Tour.

Buriram – Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat said the inaugural Thailand MotoGP was successful beyond expectations after it was attended by an estimated 220,000 fans and generated revenue of Bt3 billion.

The attendance is the highest for any of the 15 MotoGP races so far this year.

The three-day-event, which concluded with another victory for four-time world champion Marc Marquez, turned incredible profits for the Kingdom in the first year of its three-year deal.

“The government pays only Bt100 million for licence fee but around Bt3 billion income has been generated in Buriram and nearby provinces only according to my research team,” said the minister during his visit to the Chang International Circuit. “This is an incredible profit. The government had expected around Bt2 billion revenues would be raised during the event.”

The minister also revealed that the organisation of the event had been praised in several aspects by Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP licence holder Dorna Sports, even though the Kingdom was hosting it for the first time.

“He was also impressed by several aspects, including staging concerts at the venue to keep the fans there and minimise congestion after the race. We have set an example for other countries,” added Weerasak.

The minister also said racers had been impressed by the Thai hospitality and were keen to spend a few more days to visit other parts of the country.

“It’s a good opportunity that they help promote our country to their fans around the world,” said the minister.

Good responses and reactions from fans, according to the minister, may lead to interest in a bid to host a  Formula One GP but this was played down by Newin Chidchob, the ex-politician who is the owner of the Chang International Circuit, who said the organisation cost of around Bt1.5 million was too high.

The Baron of Buriram was pleased with the successful organisation of the home MotoGP and gave credit to people in the province for their contribution and hospitality.

“When I needed volunteers, they did not hesitate to provide help. They brought their own E Tan (a small Isaan truck for agriculturists) for [use as a] shuttle bus service and worked all day,” said Nawin.

Asked what needed to be improved for the 2019 race, Nawin said the seating capacity should be increased  from 60,000 and accommodation capacity in the province needed to be doubled from 5,000 to 10,000.

Thailand has signed a three-year-deal with Dorna to stage MotoGP from 2018-20 but with the success of its inaugural race, it is possible that contract could be extended.

“I’m certain after three years, fans and the Thai people will have an answer whether or not we should continue,” Newin said.

The Thais had no answer to the speed, power and precision of Italy and were spiked to a standstill as they received an uncharacteristically heavy beating by 25-15, 25-12, 25-15 in 68 minutes. With this highly impressive victory, Italy improved their win-loss record to a perfect 7-0 while Thailand dropped to 3-4 after a second consecutive defeat in Osaka.

Paola Egonu led Italy’s scoring with 15 points, captain Cristina Chirichella added 12 and Anna Danesi scored 11, with three blocks.

Sittirak Onuma (13) and Apinyapong Wilavan (7) contributed 20 points between them on a night when little went right for the tiring Thais against a fiercely determined Italy.

Thailand’s tactics from the start appeared to revolve solely around Onuma, who attacked all across the front line with her customary vigour and speed to try and unsettle the Italian defence. Wilavan, too, pierced the formidable blue defence on a regular basis.

Miryam Sylla and Paolo Egonu carried the attack and Italy’s lead increased to four at the second TTO, having dampened the Thais’ early fire and fury.

In a battle between the two captains, Cristina Chirichella got the better of Pleumjit Thinkaow with a block point and the Italians romped to the first set 25-15 in only 23 minutes.

In the second set, Egonu and Pleumjit traded fierce spikes down the middle and Elena Pietrini attacked spectacularly from the left flank to keep Italy moving forward. Anna Danesi followed up as Italy were in a hurry to finish this and endure no five-set drama which had befallen both Russia and the United States in the first round.

The Thais couldn’t live with the unrelenting pace and movement of Italy and Egonu blasted them into the second TTO with a comfortable cushion, 16-7. Pietrini resumed with a jump serve ace against the dazed Thai defence and the south-east Asians were forced into a TO down 19-8 and with a mountain to climb to stay in the set, never mind the match. Chirichella made sure there would be no let-up as Italy took the second set 25-12 with Lucia Bosetti in command on the left.

In the third set, setter Guedpard Pornpun lifted Thai spirits with a swifty spike at the net and Onuma, on the left, found a second wind to blaze past two Italian blockers, but Italy pulled away again to 16-12 at the second TTO.

The unstoppable Danesi fired across the Thai block from Italy’s right and then notched a block point as Italy moved into the 20s before closing out the match 25-15.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai thought for the briefest of moments as reporters asked him about his future plans.

As he celebrated another successful title defence at the Impact Arena, the world’s media wanted to know where and when his next world title defence would be – but Srisaket laughed it off.

“I don’t know about any of that,” he said. “My only plan is to get married!”

Thailand’s boxing superstar was delighted to announce next month’s nuptials with Nanchaya Suwannasit and could be forgiven for putting affairs of the heart before pursuing further fame and fortune.

He was speaking moments after convincingly outpointing brave Mexican challenger Iran Diaz in front of a thrilled packed house as the highlight of a spectacular night of action billed as One: Kingdom of Heroes.

They will be getting hitched on November 11, with ASrisaket giving his bride a dowry of Bt2 million in cash and 20 baht in weight of gold.

Saturday’s fight was the culmination of an eventful period in the life of the 31-year-old former rubbish collector from Sisaket province.

Since he took the WBC Super Flyweight title from Nicaragua’s Roman Gonzalez in March last year, he has become one of the most highly-rated fighters in the world. His fight record is now 47-4-1.

The Ring magazine now rates him No 7 in their top 10 of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet – and his third successful title defence against an opponent who had risen quickly up the ranks might see his star shine even brighter.

At the same time, however, his personal life has witnessed some upheaval, with the much-publicised break-up of a long-term relationship and a split with his previous manager, too.

He is grateful for quickly finding new love and is in no rush to return to the ring – but when he does he will surely hope to fight in front of his home fans again.

The rapturous support he received through his 12-rounder against Diaz made his first title defence at home all the more special.

“I never thought we would have such a great atmosphere,” he said.

And well he might thank the fans for their support – the unanimous points verdict doesn’t tell the story of the gutsy challenge put up by Diaz. Resilience has always been the stock in trade of Mexican fighters down the years and it was no different on Saturday night.

While Srisaket dominated from start to finish there was always the nagging feeling that Diaz might suddenly shock him – and that’s exactly what he did in the eighth round, appearing to rock the champion with a flurry of punches.

The turnaround silenced the raucous fans but it didn’t last.

Srisaket quickly regained his composure and although Diaz, realizing he needed a KO, threw everything he had at Srisaket in the 12th it was too little, too late.

The Thai, who had promised his home fans a knockout, paid tribute to his opponent for denying them that spectacle. “He was a great boxer – but he never troubled me,” he insisted. “I knew he didn’t have the punching power to cause me any problems.”

The fans went home doubly happy -¬ in the main event of the undercard, 20-year-old Stamp Fairtex from Pattaya, a veteran of 100 Muay Thai bouts, turned in a One Series debut to remember as she dethroned “Killer Bee” Kai Ting Chuang of China, also by a unanimous decision, to become the new ONE Kickboxing Atomweight World Champion.

Beaming with confidence, Stamp used her range and movement to out-strike her counterpart throughout the fast-paced five-round contest, sealed by a flurry of strikes in the final round.

New investors, including Temasek, Greenoaks Capital, and other leading institutional investors, also participated in the round.

ONE now has a total capital base that exceeds US$250 million. This equity investment further solidifies ONE’s dominant market leadership position in the sports media industry in Asia.

But a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to beat lowly Newcastle 3-2 could prove to be little more than a stay of execution for Mourinho, with a run of tougher fixtures looming.

He said he had received a text message from a senior board member, believed to be the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, before kick-off on Saturday telling him to ignore reports that the axe was set to fall regardless of the result against Newcastle.

“There is a lot of wickedness and a clear manhunt,” said the 55-year-old Portuguese boss in a post-match rage despite the late turnaround.

“I think life is made of experiences and some are new and some are deja vu. This is new but I think it makes me a better manager and a better person.”

The concern for United is that this is not new for Mourinho.

His third seasons in his second spell at Chelsea and Real Madrid also ended in acrimonious departures after poor results and falling out with key players.

In saving Mourinho’s job, at least for now, a rousing second-half display at Old Trafford was in some ways an indictment of his time in charge.

So often criticised for preaching a cautious approach, it was only when Mourinho’s men threw caution to the wind when 2-0 down that they began to look like the United of old.

It was almost a replica of arguably the standout result of the Mourinho era, when United roared back from 2-0 down at half-time to Manchester City to win 3-2 at the Etihad in April to delay Pep Guardiola’s title party.

Just like that day, when Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez showed why United have invested heavily in bringing them to the club, it was some of those most harshly criticised or shunned by Mourinho who pulled United out of the mire against Newcastle.

Substitute Juan Mata, who has had to content himself with a bit-part role under Mourinho recently, got United’s comeback under way with a sumptuous free-kick.

Anthony Martial, at odds with the Portuguese this season, scored the equaliser and Sanchez, left out of the squad against West Ham last week, headed a 90th-minute winner.

– Turning point? –

Whatever their differences, these were not players happy to lie down and watch their manager take the bullet.

“We couldn’t afford another defeat, we couldn’t afford another disappointment, especially for the fans,” Mata told MUTV.

“I think they saw today we tried everything, and we came back and from the mental point of view it’s a very important three points.”

But is the victory short-term balm or a turning point in United’s season?

Former United midfielder Paul Ince says it is too early for United to believe they have turned the corner.

“We all know one swallow doesn’t make a summer,” he told the BBC. “So are we papering over the cracks because they came back? To some extent, yeah, we are but it was an important result because they had to win after all the reports of Mourinho leaving.”

Presuming he is still in charge, Mourinho returns to Chelsea after the international break, where he has lost in all three visits as United manager, with no goals scored.

Two Champions League clashes with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus and meetings with high-flying Bournemouth and Everton follow before United travel to City for the Manchester derby on November 11.

This time City could deliver the final nail in the coffin. Not for the title, but Mourinho’s tenure at Old Trafford.

BURI RAM – MARC MARQUEZ overtook his arch-rival Andrea Dovizioso in the last corner to win the inaugural PTT Thailand Grand Prix to a roar from over 100,000 fans at the Chang International Circuit yesterday.

Honda’s four-time MotoGP world champion swapped the lead with the Ducati rider several times in the last three laps before the Spaniard made his decisive move and accelerated to cross the finish line in 39:55.722 minutes, pipping his rival by just 0.115 of a second.

“It was difficult. In the past I have always lost to Ducati’s riders in the last lap. But this time I gave it my 100 per cent,” said Marquez at the post-race press conference. “It was amazing to win here after a difficult weekend. We move one more step to the final dream [of winning the Championship],” added the Spaniard, who extended his Championship lead to 271 points, ahead of Italy’s Dovizioso with 194.

“It’s not nice to lose [in] the last corner,” said the Italian, who was also overtaken by Marquez on the last lap in Aragon, Spain two weeks ago.

“This track isn’t for us. We came here struggling a little bit like we did in February [for the Winter Test]. We battled for the victory and we did incredible work. We will continue to improve,” said Dovizioso.

Marquez became the first ever rider to win pole position through Q1 but quickly fell to third behind Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi of Yamaha.

Seven-time world champion Rossi gained the lead but couldn’t keep it, eventually having to settle for fourth 1.564 seconds behind Marquez. His Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales of Spain rounded up the top three in 39:55.992.

Maverick Vinales of Yamaha 

Yesterday’s victory was Marquez’s seventh win of the season and his 42nd in the premier class. He became only the third rider to win a race after passing through Q1, along with Jack Miller (Netherlands, 2016) and Cal Crutchlow (Australia, 2016).

In Moto2, Sky Racing Team VR46 dominated with Francesco Bagnaia taking the win followed closely by Luca Marni. Thai Thitipong Warokorn finished at 18th, 38.315 seconds behind Bagnaia.

Somkiat Chantra of Honda AP Racing Team pays respect to the national flag ahead of his race.

In Moto3, Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio of Del Conca Gresini timed 38:10.789 to beat countryman Lorenzo Dalla Porta of Leopard Racing by 0.135s to win the title. Thai rising star Somkiat Chantra of AP Honda Racing was best of the local riders in ninth, 1.0643 seconds behind the winner. Yamaha’s Apiwath Wongthananon of VR46 Master Camp took 16th, 4.802 behind the winner.

MotoGP’s debut in Thailand was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who was among an audience of 300,000 at the three-day event.

After expressing doubts that Thailand would pull it off as first-time host, Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP licence-holder Dorna Sports, was very pleased with the organisation, said Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat.

Weerasak added that 25 per cent of the fans in attendance were foreigners, all of whom experienced a showcase of Thai hospitality and way of life. A talked-about innovation was the use of colourful Etan trucks – Northeastern-style four-wheeled farming vehicles – as shuttle buses to transport fans around the complex. They gained huge popularity, especially among foreign visitors.

Owner of the Chang International Circuit Newin Chidchob said he was happy the weekend had been such a success with fans from all over the world.

“Etan trucks … it shows that agricultural transport can get along with MotoGP. The vehicles make this different from other circuits,” said Newin. The former politician brushed off suggestions he might be interested in holding a Formula 1 race at the venue though. The licence fee of Bt1.2 billion was too expensive, he said.