7 Interesting Facts About Muay Thai Star Jo Nattawut Before He Faces Superbon At ONE Friday Fights 81

has been one of ONE Championship바카라�s longest-serving strikers, but he doesn바카라�t give too much away.  

Nattawut prefers to let his fighting do the talking, and that바카라�s his aim when he takes on fellow Thai superstar in the main event of on September 27.  

Although fans appreciate the 34-year-old for his intense, never-back-down style of fighting, the otherwise laidback athlete is somewhat of an enigma when it comes to his public presence. 

Ahead of his Asia primetime return at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, get to know 바카라�Smokin바카라� Jo better than ever with these seven interesting facts.  

#1 Soccer Was His First Love

Despite being born in Nakhon Ratchasima, which has produced some iconic names in Muay Thai, Nattawut had little interest in the sport growing up. 

Instead, he loved soccer and preferred to spend his time kicking balls rather than pads or people.  

#2 He Came Across Muay Thai By Accident 

Nattawut recalls playing soccer with his friends when a new school teacher started hitting a heavy bag after class. 

Intrigued, the youngsters quizzed him about it and discovered that he was training Muay Thai. The kids had plenty of energy, so they started joining in, although it was just fun and fitness initially.   

Nattawut kept up his training throughout high school and seemed to have a natural affinity for the sport, which led to him competing on the regional circuit. 

#3 He Almost Gave Up Muay Thai For Good

After catching the Muay Thai bug, Nattawut moved to Bangkok in hopes of making it his career.  

However, things didn바카라�t go as planned, and he felt disillusioned when he struggled to make ends meet with his fight purses.  

This led him to abandon Muay Thai in 2007 and transition into jobs at bars and restaurants, where the pay was better and more secure. 

Still a teenager, he also enjoyed the new freedoms his switch in lifestyle gave him and spent his free time partying rather than training. 

#4 He바카라�s Lived In The U.S. For Over 10 Years 

After getting some experience in the hospitality industry, a door opened for a move to the United States. 

Nattawut made the trip to Colorado in 2013, where he worked in a restaurant and found a new hobby in snowboarding that helped keep him entertained.  

Eleven years later, 바카라�Smokin바카라� Jo is still living his American dream 바카라� though he now resides in Atlanta. 

#5 A Fellow Thai Drew Him Back In 

Thousands of miles from home, Nattawut managed to find a friendly face that eventually drew him back to 바카라�the art of eight limbs.바카라� 

In the winter months, he loved hitting the slopes but got bored when the snow melted and then started training Muay Thai again for something to do.  

He knew Master Khunpon Dechkampu through a mutual friend and decided to move to Atlanta to take up the martial art more seriously once again under his watchful eye. 

After getting back in the ring on short notice and winning, he found a renewed love for the sport that accelerated his success moving forward.  

#6 He바카라�s A Muay Thai World Champion 

This new lease on life in his Muay Thai career took Nattawut from a self-proclaimed 바카라�middle-of-the-road fighter바카라� in Bangkok to an internationally renowned sensation.  

Within just a few years of his return, the Nakhon Ratchasima native won the WMC Muay Thai World Title and became a seven-time Lion Fight Champion across two divisions.  

He바카라�s now squared off with the best of the best in striking, including , , , , and more. 

#7 Becoming 바카라�Smokin바카라� Joe  

Nattawut바카라�s run toward the top of the sport led to his famous nickname.

His coaches believed there was a fire in his punches and kicks that couldn바카라�t be put out and burned his opponents with their ferocity. 

So, 바카라�Smokin바카라� Jo was born 바카라� and he바카라�s been backing it up ever since with impressive wins and finishes on the global stage.