‘Someone’s Getting Knocked Out’ – Nakrob Promises All-Out War In Return Against Panrit At ONE Friday Fights 143

Bangkok – Lumpinee Boxing Stadium will host an all-Thai firefight on February 20 when Nakrob Fairtex meets Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 143, and the Fairtex representative has already guaranteed carnage.

Nakrob, 10-4 under the ONE banner, has not seen the final bell since 2023. Back-to-back first-round knockouts—most recently against Japan’s Taiki Naito in under three minutes—have left the 27-year-old in urgent need of a reset.

“I got careless,” Nakrob admitted, reviewing the Naito loss. “I left myself open, ate a counter straight, and when I stood up the ring was spinning. That was it.”

The solution, devised alongside his camp, was to abandon the strenuous flyweight cut that once demanded a 10-kilogram drop. Nakrob will instead debut as a bantamweight, believing the change will restore both his punch resistance and stamina.

“Recovery was getting slower; I didn’t feel fresh on fight night,” he said. “We think the cut weakened my chin. At bantamweight I’m stronger, happier, and far more dangerous.”

Across the ring stands Panrit, a compatriot whose come-forward, phone-booth style should produce the kind of exchanges Thai stadiums were built for. Neither man is celebrated for defensive nuance; both are celebrated for grit.

“I love to trade,” Nakrob grinned. “Panrit’s the same. We both march forward, rely on our hands, and, yeah, we both struggle to take big shots,” he laughed. “Fans are getting a war.”

Three months of secluded preparation have followed the Naito setback. Nakrob says sharpening his guard without dulling his aggression has been the priority.

“Expect the same heavy-hitting Nakrob, but with eyes wide open. One of us is going down—it’s that simple. I’ve got three months of weapons locked and loaded.”

A victory, preferably of the highlight-reel variety, would halt the slide, justify the weight-class jump, and re-establish the momentum that once earned him a US$100,000 contract on the very same Friday Fights stage.

“I’m not glancing at the rankings,” he insisted. “Win this fight, then win the next. That’s how I climb back.”

With two sluggers who refuse to retreat, the only remaining question is which corner will be raising a hand while the other counts the lights.