‘Starved For Victory’ – Stephen Irvine And Suablack Trade Predictions Before ONE Fight Night 45 Slugfest
The two warriors sound off ahead of this Friday's showdown in Bangkok.
By Kriel Ibarrola
Jul 17, 2026, 06:09 UTC
Ferocious power meets surgical precision when Stephen “El Matador” Irvine and Suablack Tor Pran49 square off in a flyweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 45: Lessei vs. Rabah on Prime Video.
Part of a stacked nine-fight card packed with elite MMA and Muay Thai action, the co-main event goes down live in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 17, from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Fresh off earning his US$100,000 contract with a spectacular head kick knockout of Rambong Sor Therapat, Irvine steps onto the main roster hungry to leave an immediate mark. Suablack, meanwhile, makes his flyweight Muay Thai debut, returning to his natural discipline with a point to prove.
The stage is set for a high-stakes collision, and both men are ready to deliver.
Irvine Carries Unshakeable Confidence Into Main Roster Bow
Stephen Irvine is operating at the peak of his career. The 26-year-old has assembled a sterling 7-1 ONE record and five straight wins, sharpening his tools with every single appearance.
The main roster brings an immediate test, however. Suablack is a seasoned Thai veteran with calculated aggression and a real experience edge. Still, Irvine meets the danger with a hunter’s patience, treating the moment as an invitation rather than a threat.
The Scottish standout said:
“I’ve fought a lot of southpaws, so it’s very similar to all my other fights. For me, I think my skill set will be that much better.
“It’s a new weight as well for me, which is going to play in my hands. I know he’s coming down, so he’ll be a bit bigger, but I’m going to have the speed advantage on this one.”
Word has reached Irvine that Suablack intends to press the action, matching him in the pocket to impose a frenetic pace. Yet time spent dismantling aggressive fighters on the weekly ONE Friday Fights circuit leaves him supremely unconvinced.
If Suablack insists on trading at close range, Irvine intends to make him pay dearly for it.
He warned:
“I don’t think it’s a great idea for him. I’ve heard this already. I don’t think that’s going to be his best move, to be honest. I wish him good luck with the game plan he has prepared. I don’t think he can handle it.
“I’m going to knock him out. I’ll get the kill. I’ll get the bonus. That’s what I’m expecting.”
Consistent hard work backs that self-belief. Irvine sharpens his weapons alongside close friend and reigning ONE Interim Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Nico “King of the North” Carrillo at Deachkalek Muay Thai Academy.
Ultimately, the goal is to earn a shot at newly crowned ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev’s 26 pounds of gold, and Suablack is simply the next hurdle to clear.
“El Matador” declared:
“My goal is to be the champion. I’ll do what it takes to get there. Every fight is a step in that direction. It might take some time, but it’s okay.”
Suablack Ready To Unleash The Brawler Fans Fell For
Suablack Tor Pran49 ravaged ONE like a force of nature. He reeled off four straight stoppages to earn a six-figure contract and announce himself as one of the bantamweight division’s most dangerous knockout artists.
Progress has been uneven since. Back-to-back losses have tested him, capped by a brutal first-round TKO loss to Hyu in his flyweight kickboxing debut at ONE Fight Night 41 last March.
Despite his tough luck, the NP Suablack representative refuses to let it break his resolve:
“Even though I lost my last two fights, I’m not discouraged. I am starved for victory every single time I fight.
“I just couldn’t execute in my last appearance. Right after the fight with Hyu ended, I was right back in the gym training that very evening.”
Now back in his natural element, Suablack is genuinely eager to welcome Irvine to the division. He’s studied the dangerous knockout artist closely, refusing to let his guard slip for even a second.
Unlike his recent fights, mental clarity sets this version of Suablack apart. He enters with a clear head, ready to unleash the full scope of his skill set.
The 29-year-old explained:
“I’ve been keeping a close eye on Stephen. He’s shared the ring with southpaws before. He’s a dangerous fighter with a deep arsenal. His punches are heavy, precise, and his gas tank is deep.
“I’m genuinely excited to test myself against top-tier talent. There’s zero anxiety or pressure on my shoulders because I have absolute faith in my abilities.”
This is not merely a bounce-back bout for Suablack, but a complete reclamation of his status. Armed with the full arsenal of “the art of eight limbs,” the Thai tactician is ready to reintroduce himself on his own terms.
He plans to abandon all caution, meet Irvine in the center of the ring, and unleash the vintage, high-paced action that defined his rise.
Suablack concluded:
“I have no intention of playing a tactical, point-scoring game this time. I want to bring back the relentless, aggressive brawler that the fans loved when I first arrived in ONE.
“I want to display my true capabilities to the world and prove that I belong here. I want to deliver a masterclass performance that leaves a lasting impression.”
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