Ferrari Fairtex is gearing up to showcase a new dimension of his striking skills as he prepares for his highly anticipated kickboxing debut in ONE Championship. The 29-year-old Thai fighter will face off against Azerbaijani competitor Akif "King" Guluzada in the bantamweight main event of The Inner Circle 29, scheduled for September 4. This event will be broadcast live during Asia's primetime from the renowned Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
Entering this matchup, Ferrari carries a wave of renewed confidence following his unanimous decision victory over Shinji Suzuki in June. This win marked a significant turning point for him, ending a challenging period in his career and alleviating the pressure he had been feeling. The former Channel 7 Boxing Stadium Champion is now eager to channel this momentum into the kickboxing arena, a discipline he has long been interested in exploring.
Reflecting on his previous fight, Ferrari expressed the relief he felt after securing the win, stating, "I felt huge pressure before stepping into the ring for my last fight because my recent run in the promotion hadn’t been great. Securing that win was such a relief. It felt like a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders." He acknowledged the toughness of his opponent, Shinji, and expressed respect for his resilience.
Ferrari's fascination with kickboxing has been fueled by observing the success of his fellow Thai fighters, particularly ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon. He has closely studied Superbon's techniques, focusing on his defensive strategies and timing, especially the counter knee strikes that have become a hallmark of Superbon's fighting style. "I’ve wanted to try kickboxing for a long time. Superbon is my idol. I constantly watch his training videos and study his style to adapt it into my own game," Ferrari noted.
In preparation for his debut, Ferrari has also drawn inspiration from other notable fighters who have successfully transitioned from Muay Thai to kickboxing, such as Panpayak Jitmuangnon and Lamnamoonlek Torfunfarm. After his victory over Suzuki, he immediately expressed his desire to compete under kickboxing rules, and when the opportunity to face Guluzada arose, he accepted without hesitation.
As he prepares for this challenge, Ferrari is aware of the experience and speed that Guluzada brings to the ring. The Azerbaijani fighter is known for his quick footwork and hand speed, which Ferrari acknowledges could pose a threat if Guluzada establishes his rhythm. However, Ferrari believes he has a strategy to counteract this. "My plan for the early stages is to read his timing and rhythm. Once I dial into that, I’ll start pressing forward immediately. If I can force him onto his back foot, his punches will lose power, and the fight will play right into my hands," he explained.
Ferrari, who boasts an impressive professional record of 138 wins and 34 losses, has been sharpening his skills during training, including sparring sessions with Johan "Panda Kick" Estupinan, who previously handed Guluzada his first loss in ONE Championship. This preparation has provided Ferrari with valuable insights into his upcoming opponent, making the transition to kickboxing feel more manageable.
Without the use of elbows in kickboxing, Ferrari plans to implement techniques he has learned from Superbon, particularly the counter knee. "I’m going to try to fight like Superbon by adapting the counter knee from Muay Thai. I’ve been repping this hard in training and plan to use it as my secret weapon to beat Akif," he stated. Ferrari is determined to prove his capability in this new rule set and is open to competing in both Muay Thai and kickboxing in the future.
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