Antar Kacem once took a fight on less than 24 hours’ notice — because he needed the money. It ended in a brutal knockout loss to Avatar PK Saenchai. For the French-Algerian striker, that lesson was painful but unforgettable: Desperation in combat sports can cost you everything.
Now, in this exclusive ONE Friday Fights 126 main card interview, Kacem reflects on that experience while preparing to return to Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium for ONE Friday Fights 126. The 27-year-old has built a reputation for his rangy frame, knockout power, and a willingness to fight with everything on the line.
ONE Friday Fights 126’s Kacem: “Fighting at Lumpinee has become a habit”
For more than two years, Kacem has been a fixture at Lumpinee Stadium, Muay Thai’s most storied arena. Once reserved almost exclusively for elite Thai fighters, the venue now hosts ONE’s weekly Friday series, blending tradition with global exposure. Slowly, the crowd that once saw him as an outsider has started to cheer for him.
Image Courtesy of ONE Championship.
“Fighting at Lumpinee has become a habit for me — I’ve been competing there for more than two years now and I’m starting to have fans. That motivates me even more for the future.”
The French-Algerian striker has learned that Lumpinee audiences respect not only local heroes, but also foreign fighters willing to stand in the fire and deliver. Each performance on the Bangkok stage becomes part of a larger conversation about identity, perseverance, and the global reach of Muay Thai.
Kacem’s KO Power and Adaptability Going Into ONE Friday Fights 126
Kacem’s last outing ended with a highlight-reel left hook knockout over Panrit at ONE Friday Fights 90. It proved his punching power can carry into the 140-pound catchweight division, but for this camp, he says adaptability is the real key.
“In this camp I’m focused on finding the right tempo and distance for each opponent from the very first round. Sometimes I fight at mid-range, sometimes very long, or even very close — it depends on who is in front of me.”
Kacem Learned Lessons From Defeat
In this ONE Friday Fights 126 main card interview, Kacem is blunt about the cost of his lone KO loss.
“My only KO loss in my career was against Avatar PK Saenchai. I took that fight on very short notice, less than 24 hours after weigh-in, and without real preparation because I needed the money. It didn’t go well, and I’ve learned not to make that kind of mistake again.”
That single decision reshaped his approach to fighting: never step into the ring without being truly ready. It also underscores the razor-thin margins that separate risk from reward at this level of combat sports.
Kacem’s Mindset Ahead of ONE Friday Fights 126: KO or Be KO’d
Outside the ring, Kacem doesn’t cling to rigid routines or rituals. His mindset sharpens only once the gloves are on.
“When I step inside, my mentality is simple: either I win by KO or I risk taking one.”
That philosophy has made Kacem one of the most unpredictable and dangerous figures on ONE’s Friday Fights stage. On September 26, he’ll test it against Muangthai PK Saenchai, a 31-year-old Thai veteran nicknamed The Elbow Zombie for his relentless, elbow-heavy style.
📊 ONE Friday Fights 126: Tale of the Tape
ONE Friday Fights 126
Catchweight Muay Thai – 140 lbs
Antar Kacem (France/Algeria)
Height: 183 cm (6’0”)
Style: Rangy striker, KO power
Team: Team Nasser K
Highlight: KO win at Fights 90 (Panrit)
Recent: KO win at ONE Friday Fights 90
VS
Muangthai PK Saenchai (Thailand)
Height: 172 cm (5’8”)
Style: Pressure fighter, lethal elbows
Team: PK Saenchai Gym
Highlight: Former Lumpinee Stadium Champion
Recent: UD win at ONE Friday Fights 114 (Saeksan)
📺 How to Watch ONE Friday Fights 126
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Venue: Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok
Start Time: 7:30 PM ICT (local Bangkok) / 8:30 AM ET
Broadcast: Free live stream worldwide on the ONE Championship YouTube channel
For Kacem, the stakes are simple: keep the momentum rolling, or risk becoming another highlight in Muangthai’s elbow reel. For fans, this ONE Friday Fights 126 main card interview offers more than a preview — it’s a window into the mindset of a fighter navigating both survival and spectacle