Algerian Muay Thai ace gets set for ONE Championship debut

Algeria’s Mohamed Younes Rabah will make his first appearance in ONE Championship this weekend after impressing hugely on the MENA Muay Thai and kickboxing circuit. The 26-year-old will face the fight of his life as he comes in as a late replacement to take on the bantamweight division’s number-three ranked fighter Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 17: Kryklia vs Roberts. A product of the famous Team Mehdi Zatout, Rabah takes in a professional record of 13-0 and a fearsome reputation in the Middle East, but will take a huge step when facing the explosive Saemapetch – who has 126 career wins under his belt. At 6 foot 2, the Algerian is rangy but packs a punch to go with it, and will need all that distance control and striking ability at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. He will enter the ring with an opportunity of a lifetime to establish himself in the world’s largest martial arts organisation, while Saemapetch will have his eyes firmly fixed on maintaining his divisional ranking and hunting down current champion Jonathan Haggerty. ONE Fight Night 17 comes live from the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Thailand on Saturday December 9. Fight fans in the MENA region can watch action BeINSPORTS from 3.00am MECCA, or on watch.onefc.com