‘I Didn’t Think He Was Going To Get Up’ – Shadow Dissects His Spectacular Finish Of Bampara Kouyate At ONE Fight Night 35
The Thai turned in one of the evening’s best finishes in the action-packed ONE Fight Night 35 card in Bangkok.
By Kriel Ibarrola
Sep 9, 2025, 16:27 UTC
On a night filled with highlight-reel finishes at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger, Thai bruiser Shadow Singha Mawynn stood out.
Amidst the carnage that unfolded inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday night, nothing quite compared to the Thai warrior’s devastating spinning backfist that sent #2-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Bampara Kouyate crashing to the canvas.
Midway through the fight, Shadow threw a left kick that forced Kouyate to sway backward toward the ropes, and then used the momentum to uncork an explosive counter that crashed into his opponent’s temple with surgical precision.
The impact was so thunderous that even Shadow questioned whether or not his rival would be able to recover. As Kouyate valiantly struggled to his feet, the referee deemed him in no condition to continue, and the fight was stopped at the 1:20 mark of round two.
The fiery knockout also netted Shadow a well-earned US$50,000 performance bonus.
Speaking to onefc.com, the #3-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender described that brilliant finishing sequence:
“I saw him go down, and I didn’t think he was going to get up. But also, if he managed to get up, I was also ready to give him another set of weapons to knock him out.
“I think Kouyate is a very skilled fighter. He has made a lot of improvements in himself, just coming up to the ranking. I have a lot of respect for him.”
The spectacular finish came out of nowhere, especially considering how the fight began.
“Bambi” had proven frustratingly elusive in the early exchanges, maximizing his height and reach advantage while remaining content to counter the Thai’s combinations.
Shadow, a notorious slow starter, bided his time like a seasoned hunter, studying his opponent’s weaknesses and waiting for the perfect opportunity.
The 25-year-old revealed his strategy:
“It’s part of the plan that I have to analyze him first, and also I have to look at how he is, and also do the low kick.
“So I came with the game plan to just walk forward and just keep pushing pressure on Bampara, and yeah, I think that worked.”
But this wasn’t just another knockout. This was vindication for a journey that began in the potato fields of Thailand’s Tak province, where a 12-year-old boy picked up Muay Thai gloves out of necessity.
The life-changing six-figure contract he earned from ONE Championship has already transformed his family’s circumstances, and the additional US$50,000 performance bonus validates his incredible journey from rural fighter to global star.
Having his mother ringside witnessing her son’s greatest triumph made the moment even more special. Shadow reflected on the heartwarming moment:
“I’m very happy to get the win and the bonus today, and I’m also very happy that my mom has come to support me every fight. And I am determined to get every win to put a smile on my mom’s face every time.”
Shadow Says He’s Ready To Challenge ONE Featherweight Muay Thai King Tawanchai
With his victory over Bampara Kouyate, Shadow Singha Mawynn has compiled over 90 professional fights, including multiple victories on the global stage of ONE.
His sights are firmly set on ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai, the seemingly untouchable divisional king who has dismantled all challengers with otherworldly Muay Thai artistry.
Shadow believes his time has come to challenge for the throne.
The respect between the two Thai warriors runs deep, but the 25-year-old striker knows destiny may eventually force them into a clash:
“I just want Tawanchai to know that I have a lot of respect for him. I think he’s a very good fighter.
“I have always watched him on TV and have always been a fan. But if one day, as if this is inevitable, and I have to face him, then I will be ready. And I will always want to fight someone who’s the best of the best, so I think we have to face each other.”
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