A revenge rematch and the return of 'The Little Warlord': Why you should watch RWS Muay Thai this weekend

Samingdet puts his Interim Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight Championship on the line against Duangsompong on Saturday, August 15, in a rematch that has been a year in the making.

Duangsompong remains the last man to defeat the champion, but Samingdet has transformed his fortunes since that night, going unbeaten in six fights and collecting two titles along the way.

And there is much more than revenge at stake. The winner will move one step closer to becoming the undisputed lightweight champion, with Egor Bikrev awaiting them.

Elsewhere, Khunsueklek makes his long-awaited comeback after 11 months on the sidelines, while Savvas Michael is also among the names competing on a stacked night of action.

Here is why combat sports fans should be watching RWS Muay Thai this weekend.

Samingdet finally gets his chance at revenge

Samingdet has achieved plenty over the past year, but there is one result he has yet to put right.

When he and Duangsompong met for the first time a year ago, Duangsompong scored a knockdown before securing a unanimous decision victory.

Nobody has beaten Samingdet since.

The Thai star responded by embarking on a six-fight unbeaten run, capturing the Channel 7 Stadium Lightweight Championship before adding the Interim Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight Championship to his collection.

That run has included revenge of a different kind, with Samingdet producing a dominant performance to defeat Fluknoi in their June rematch.

Now another former conqueror stands in his way.

This time, however, Samingdet enters as champion and with the opportunity to show just how much has changed over the past 12 months.

Duangsompong already knows he can hurt and beat his opponent, while Samingdet has six fights' worth of momentum and a championship to protect.

It makes their second meeting about considerably more than simply settling an old score.

An undisputed title opportunity awaits the winner

The stakes surrounding the main event extend beyond Samingdet's interim championship.

Saturday will mark his first defence of the belt, but victory for either fighter will also earn a shot at Egor Bikrev to determine the undisputed Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight Champion.

That puts a clear path to the top of the division in front of both men.

Should Bikrev vacate his championship or be stripped of the belt before an undisputed fight can take place, the winner of Samingdet vs Duangsompong will instead be elevated to full champion.

For Duangsompong, victory would mean beating Samingdet for a second time and putting himself on the brink of the division's biggest prize.

For Samingdet, it would complete another chapter in his remarkable run since their first fight — avenging his last defeat before turning his attention towards undisputed gold.

'The Little Warlord' is finally back

The return of Khunsueklek provides another major reason to tune in.

Known as "The Little Warlord", Khunsueklek has not competed for 11 months after an injury forced him onto the sidelines.

That absence finally comes to an end on Saturday when he faces former challenger Peyman Zolfaghari at 122lbs.

After almost a year away, there will inevitably be questions over how Khunsueklek looks on his return and whether he can immediately rediscover the form that made him such a compelling figure at Rajadamnern.

Zolfaghari, meanwhile, has the opportunity to spoil the comeback and claim a major scalp of his own.

With Savvas Michael facing Joachim Ouraghi at 135lbs and three further contests completing the main card, the headline rematch is far from the only reason to watch.

RWS Muay Thai August 15 fight card

• Samingdet vs Duangsompong — Interim Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight Championship, 135lbs
• Chabakaew vs Kaewnama — 105lbs
• Savvas Michael vs Joachim Ouraghi — 135lbs
• Khunsueklek vs Peyman Zolfaghari — 122lbs
• Singburi vs Petchsaenchai — 114lbs
• Hicham Belyich vs Centrel Farmer Jr. — 144lbs
• Salavat Isaev vs Claudio Abaitua — 126lbs

How to watch RWS Muay Thai on DAZN

The latest RWS event takes place on Saturday, August 15 at the iconic Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The prelims are scheduled to begin at 7:10pm ICT / 2:10pm CEST, with the main card following at 8:05pm ICT / 3:05pm CEST.

Combat sports fans can watch the August 15 RWS Muay Thai card live on DAZN.

The event will be available on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories, excluding Thailand, Russia and Indonesia.

To watch RWS Muay Thai live:

• Download the DAZN app on your preferred device or visit DAZN.
• Sign up for a DAZN account, or log in if you already have one.
• Search for RWS or head to the combat sports section.
• Select the August 15 event and start watching live.