Antar Kacem as soon as took a battle on lower than 24 hours’ discover — as a result of he wanted the cash. It led to a brutal knockout loss to Avatar PK Saenchai. For the French-Algerian striker, that lesson was painful however unforgettable: Desperation in fight sports activities can value you every part.
Now, on this unique ONE Friday Fights 126 essential card interview, Kacem displays on that have whereas making ready to return to Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium for ONE Friday Fights 126. The 27-year-old has constructed a popularity for his rangy body, knockout energy, and a willingness to battle with every part on the road.
ONE Friday Fights 126’s Kacem: “Combating at Lumpinee has turn out to be a behavior”
For greater than two years, Kacem has been a fixture at Lumpinee Stadium, Muay Thai’s most storied area. As soon as reserved nearly completely for elite Thai fighters, the venue now hosts ONE’s weekly Friday collection, mixing custom with international publicity. Slowly, the gang that when noticed him as an outsider has began to cheer for him.
“Combating at Lumpinee has turn out to be a behavior for me — I’ve been competing there for greater than two years now and I’m beginning to have followers. That motivates me much more for the long run.”
The French-Algerian striker has discovered that Lumpinee audiences respect not solely native heroes, but in addition overseas fighters prepared to face within the hearth and ship. Every efficiency on the Bangkok stage turns into half of a bigger dialog about id, perseverance, and the worldwide attain of Muay Thai.
Kacem’s KO Energy and Adaptability Going Into ONE Friday Fights 126
Kacem’s final outing ended with a highlight-reel left hook knockout over Panrit at ONE Friday Fights 90. It proved his punching energy can carry into the 140-pound catchweight division, however for this camp, he says adaptability is the actual key.
“On this camp I’m targeted on discovering the fitting tempo and distance for every opponent from the very first spherical. Typically I battle at mid-range, generally very lengthy, and even very shut — it depends upon who’s in entrance of me.”
Kacem Discovered Classes From Defeat
On this ONE Friday Fights 126 essential card interview, Kacem is blunt about the price of his lone KO loss.
“My solely KO loss in my profession was in opposition to Avatar PK Saenchai. I took that battle on very quick discover, lower than 24 hours after weigh-in, and with out actual preparation as a result of I wanted the cash. It didn’t go effectively, and I’ve discovered to not make that type of mistake once more.”
That single resolution reshaped his method to combating: by no means step into the ring with out being really prepared. It additionally underscores the razor-thin margins that separate danger from reward at this degree of fight sports activities.
Kacem’s Mindset Forward of ONE Friday Fights 126: KO or Be KO’d
Exterior the ring, Kacem doesn’t cling to inflexible routines or rituals. His mindset sharpens solely as soon as the gloves are on.
“Once I step inside, my mentality is straightforward: both I win by KO or I danger taking one.”
That philosophy has made Kacem one of the crucial unpredictable and harmful figures on ONE’s Friday Fights stage. On September 26, he’ll take a look at it in opposition to Muangthai PK Saenchai, a 31-year-old Thai veteran nicknamed The Elbow Zombie for his relentless, elbow-heavy model.
📊 ONE Friday Fights 126: Story of the Tape
ONE Friday Fights 126Catchweight Muay Thai – 140 lbs
Antar Kacem (France/Algeria)
Peak: 183 cm (6’0”)
Type: Rangy striker, KO energy
Workforce: Workforce Nasser Okay
Spotlight: KO win at Fights 90 (Panrit)
Latest: KO win at ONE Friday Fights 90
VS
Muangthai PK Saenchai (Thailand)
Peak: 172 cm (5’8”)
Type: Strain fighter, deadly elbows
Workforce: PK Saenchai Gymnasium
Spotlight: Former Lumpinee Stadium Champion
Latest: UD win at ONE Friday Fights 114 (Saeksan)
📺 The best way to Watch ONE Friday Fights 126
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Venue: Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok
Begin Time: 7:30 PM ICT (native Bangkok) / 8:30 AM ET
Broadcast: Free reside stream worldwide on the ONE Championship YouTube channel
For Kacem, the stakes are easy: maintain the momentum rolling, or danger turning into one other spotlight in Muangthai’s elbow reel. For followers, this ONE Friday Fights 126 essential card interview gives greater than a preview — it’s a window into the mindset of a fighter navigating each survival and spectacle
