‘The Plan Is To Knock Him Out’ – Tonglampoon, Dionatha Santos Tobias Trade Words Ahead Of ONE Friday Fights 173
· Yahoo Sports
Tonglampoon FA Group and Dionatha Santos Tobias both see clear paths to a devastating finish when they collide in an explosive strawweight Muay Thai showdown.
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The dangerous strikers square off in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 173 on Friday, October 2, broadcasting live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Tonglampoon brings a seasoned 48-15 professional record into his 11th appearance on the weekly series. The 22-year-old Thai standout has already produced a lengthy collection of memorable battles and notable victories under the ONE Championship banner.
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Santos Tobias, meanwhile, has showcased serious finishing ability whenever he has found success in the world’s largest martial arts organization. Both of the Brazilian’s promotional victories have come by way of knockout, including a body-shot finish of Mahahin Petkiatpet and a first-round stoppage of Kongpoxay PK Saenchai.
Now, he intends to use his blistering speed and precision to test a specific vulnerability he sees in Tonglampoon, while the Thai standout plans to answer by turning one of the Brazilian’s favorite weapons directly against him.
Tonglampoon Plans To Give Santos Tobias A Taste Of His Own Medicine
Tonglampoon has approached this main event matchup with plenty of profound self-reflection.
The FA Group representative firmly believes hesitation has cost him dearly in previous appearances, so his latest camp has centered entirely on tightening his defense while making sure he gets to work immediately rather than waiting for the action to come to him.
His hands and elbows have been particular areas of emphasis.
Tonglampoon said:
“I’ve been focusing heavily on training hard, improving my defense, and engaging straight away instead of hesitating or waiting.
“I believe that hesitation was what led to me getting knocked out in previous fights. This time, I want to get straight to work, and I’ve been sharpening my hands and elbows.”
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The adjustments have not been purely technical. Tonglampoon also spent valuable time away from the gym reflecting on what had gone wrong, actively trying to rebuild his confidence before another high-profile assignment at Lumpinee Stadium.
Time alone in nature gave him the necessary space to reset, while the people closest to him helped restore his competitive motivation.
He continued:
“I spent some time alone back home and went into nature to reflect on what happened.
“Being somewhere quiet helped me find peace, and the support from my family and friends gave me the motivation to stand up again.”
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That renewed mindset will be tested immediately by an opponent known for marching forward and investing heavily in body attacks.
But Tonglampoon has absolutely no intention of simply absorbing Santos Tobias’ pressure. He believes the Brazilian can be hurt to the body as well and wants to force him into the exact kind of toe-to-toe exchanges he normally imposes on others.
He said:
“That’s exactly why I want to bring my elbows into play against Dionatha. I also think he can be vulnerable to body shots.
“I want to see if his body can handle my power. I’m going to pressure him, target the body, stand toe-to-toe, and attack him with the same body pressure he likes to put on his opponents. For this fight, my focus is heavily on my boxing.”
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Santos Tobias Plans To Use Speed And Precision Against Tonglampoon
Dionatha Santos Tobias respects the vast experience and sheer toughness that Tonglampoon brings into their three-round battle.
The 26-year-old has identified strong punches and kicks in the Thai fighter’s arsenal, but he does not believe durability alone will be enough to decide the contest.
The Brazilian said:
“He’s very tough. He has a very good left-right kick to the leg, good punches, and everything.
“But he’s just very tough, you know? Just being tough doesn’t win anything. Being tough doesn’t win everything. You have to have more.”
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Santos Tobias believes his greatest advantage could come from his ability to adapt once the action begins.
Rather than relying on one predetermined combination, the Sangmorakot representative wants several tactical answers ready depending on what Tonglampoon presents under ONE’s small-gloves Muay Thai rules. Speed and precision, however, remain central to his overarching plan.
He added:
“I could say a lot of things, but to be honest, to beat someone, especially in a small-gloves fight, depends on how you feel in the moment.
“I am a guy who has something prepared, but if that one doesn’t work, I have another thing, and then another thing. It depends on how I play chess. I’m going to take advantage of how much faster I am than him, quicker than him, and how my hands are more precise than his.”
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The Brazilian has also studied Tonglampoon’s recent performances closely enough to identify one particular target.
Asked about his opponent’s weaknesses, Santos Tobias immediately pointed to his chin.
And while his own body punching has already produced a spectacular knockout, he suspects Tonglampoon may be expecting him to heavily attack downstairs again. That could easily open other possibilities as Dionatha hunts for his third victory in the promotion.
He said:
“In his last couple of fights, the chin was the problem, so maybe. And I’m sure that he thinks I’m going to punch only the body instead.
“The plan is to knock him out, but if this doesn’t work, I’m happy if I win.”
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