‘Get My Old Form Back’ – Saemapetch Seeks Redemption In Clash Against Elbrus Osmanov At ONE Friday Fights 125
The Thai veteran is eager to prove his still a force when he steps into the ring on Friday at Lumpinee Stadium.
By Kriel Ibarrola
Sep 16, 2025, 15:54 UTC
Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex stands at the most critical juncture of his career, and he’s ready to silence doubters and prove he remains a dangerous force in ONE Championship’s stacked 145-pound division.
The 31-year-old veteran striker is set to headline ONE Friday Fights 125 on September 19 opposite Russian dynamo Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov at Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium, live in Asia primetime.
Saemapetch enters this pivotal bout on the heels of three consecutive knockout defeats to top-flight opposition – former World Title challengers Nico “King of the North” Carrillo and Felipe “Demolition Man” Lobo, as well as #5-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Abdulla Dayakaev.
Those stoppage losses have forced uncomfortable questions about the Thai’s durability and sparked critics to wonder if his prime has indeed passed.
Yet unwavering support from those closest to Saemapetch has drowned out the negativity, and provided the much-needed fuel to restart his ascent in the division’s hierarchy.
Reflecting on his mindset through this challenging period, Saemapetch shared:
“Losing by knockout three times in a row made me lose my confidence. I kept thinking, ‘I lost again?’ ‘Knocked out again?’ I felt a bit discouraged, but I didn’t want to stop. I had a lot of support from the people around me and a family to take care of, so I decided to keep fighting.
“Sometimes when I post something on social media, I try to only read the good comments. I try to ignore the negative ones and don’t respond to them. I use their criticism as motivation for this fight. I have a mindset that I have to do everything for my family and the people behind me. My life has to keep going, and I’m not giving up easily.”
The Fairtex Training Center product threw himself into intense preparation with renewed vigor in the gym. Now more than ever, the 31-year-old is determined to reclaim his elite status in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
But this can only be achieved with the sweet taste of victory, which is why Saemapetch is fully fixated on regaining his lost form:
“The main goal for this fight is to get my old form back. Getting to fight in the evening again makes me feel more relaxed and rested. I feel more comfortable, so I hope to perform well.”
Saemapetch FairtexSaemapetch carries battle scars from countless wars in the ring. But rather than dwelling on heartbreaking setbacks, he draws inspiration from Thai legends Nong-O Hama and Superbon, who continued to evolve late into their careers.
The Thai star has plenty of time to turn things around and he refuses to surrender without realizing every bit of his potential.
Drawing wisdom from icons, Saemapetch added:
“I learned many lessons from what happened. There are more and more new talented fighters, and I’m a veteran fighter whose reputation is starting to fade. So I look to Nong-O and Superbon as my inspiration. Even though they’re older, they can still perform well. They’re role models I want to follow.
“Of course, there is a lot of pressure, but this pressure will become the energy that fuels me to fight. I’m not going to back down, I’ll go all out. I don’t know what the result will be, but I want to do my best.”
Saemapetch Identifies Key Threats In Osmanov’s Arsenal
As a true disciple of “the art of eight limbs,” Saemapetch Fairtex recognizes the stylistic differences between his skill set and Elbrus Osmanov’s diverse kickboxing arsenal.
The Russian stalwart brings a 7-1 ONE record into their showdown, with his recent first-round knockout of Kampeetewada Sitthikul at ONE Friday Fights 117 demonstrating his ability to adapt and finish under pure Muay Thai rules.
Having studied his opponent extensively, Saemapetch has identified the key weapons that make the 24-year-old Dagestani such a dangerous adversary:
“Elbrus is a clear kickboxing-style fighter. His strengths are his punches, back kicks, and spinning back fists. These are his signature moves, and I need to be ready to counter them.”
While acknowledging the dangers of facing a young and hungry opponent, Saemapetch believes his versatility and experience will be enough to neutralize Osmanov’s explosive attributes.
The grizzled veteran remains confident he still has a few surprises up his sleeve to unleash when it matters most:
“I’m not sure if Elbrus is worried about fighting Muay Thai, but he will definitely come to fight hard. With the 4-ounce gloves and his speed, he’s more confident.
“As for me, I have more varied weapons, like clinching, knees, and elbows. I have more experience in Muay Thai, but I may be at a disadvantage in terms of my physical condition as I’m getting old.”
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