Thai Muay Thai fighter Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon prepares to face Russian contender Dmitrii Kovtun in a pivotal bout for his championship aspirations.
The two fighters will clash Saturday, June 7, at ONE Fight Night 32, held at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, with Rambolek viewing the bantamweight matchup as another step toward his ultimate goal of capturing a ONE Championship title.
Rambolek Analyzing The Opposition
Rambolek has spent considerable time studying Kovtun’s fighting style and has identified several tactical vulnerabilities he plans to exploit. The Thai fighter believes Kovtun’s conditioning and defensive gaps will be key factors in determining the outcome of their bout.
“Dmitrii Kovtun is a good fighter, no doubt. But I never underestimate anyone. I watch his videos, come up with a plan to deal with him in the ring. He seems to run out of steam toward the end and doesn’t really have a tight defense,” he said.
Despite Kovtun’s southpaw stance, which can pose challenges for orthodox fighters, Rambolek remains confident based on his previous success against left-handed opponents. His victory over former top contender Kulabdam serves as a blueprint for handling southpaw opponents at the highest level.
“He likes to wait and counter,” he said. “His strength is [his] left hook, but I have no problem with his southpaw style. Don’t forget I beat Kulabdam, and he’s a southpaw too.”
Rambolek’s game plan centers around exploiting what he perceives as defensive weaknesses in Kovtun’s arsenal. The Thai fighter plans to utilize his kicking game, which has been a cornerstone of his success throughout his career, while remaining alert for knockout opportunities.
“For this fight,” Rambolek said, “I’ll probably focus more on the kicks because Dmitrii doesn’t defend them too well. If I see an opening to knock him out? I’m going for it.”
Training Camp Preparation
Operating out of Sor Dechapan gym, Rambolek has faced unique challenges in preparing for this bout. The limited availability of sparring partners in his weight class has required creative training solutions, though he’s maximized his nearly two-month preparation window.
“Training at Sor Dechapan gym is solid. They’ve got a good system. But I don’t have a lot of sparring partners because I’m in the heaviest weight class. Sparring with someone much lighter [is] almost pointless. I had almost two months to get ready for this fight,” Rambolek said.
Rambolek’s training regimen reflects a non-traditional approach that suits his personal preferences and lifestyle. Rather than following conventional morning training schedules, he has developed a routine that maximizes his performance during twice-daily sessions.
“For my training routine, I wake up, drink some water, go to run for a few kilos, come back, eat oatmeal or a clean breakfast, then usually go back to sleep. I’m not a morning trainer like some guys. I hit the gym twice a day, though,” he said.
The fighter has also taken a hands-on approach to his nutrition, drawing from knowledge gained during previous camps. His self-managed dietary preparation demonstrates the experience and maturity he’s developed as a professional athlete.
“This time around, I didn’t work with a nutritionist. I hired one for my last fight and kind of stole his knowledge. So for this one, I know what and how much I need to eat, no need to hire him again,” Rambolek said.
Rambolek’s Championship Aspirations
Rambolek’s victory over Kovtun would represent more than just another win on his record. The Thai fighter views this bout as a crucial stepping stone toward title contention in ONE Championship’s competitive bantamweight division.
“My ultimate goal isn’t just to keep my name in the rankings, it’s to climb all the way to the champion level,” Rambolek said.
Looking beyond Saturday’s fight, Rambolek has already identified his preferred path through the division’s elite fighters. His strategic thinking extends to carefully selecting opponents that will maximize his championship opportunities while acknowledging the quality throughout the top five.
“The top five guys now? They’re all good. Anyone’s got a shot at the title. But the one I really want to fight? That’s Jonathan Haggerty. I’ll probably try to avoid Superlek, but if it’s what I gotta do, I’ll fight him,” he said.
The fighter’s confidence extends to his post-fight plans, with Rambolek already prepared to call out his next opponent should he defeat Kovtun. This forward-thinking approach reflects his ambition to maintain momentum in his championship pursuit.
“Yeah, for sure,” Rambolek said, “after this fight, if I beat Dmitrii, the next name I’m calling out is Haggerty.”