Nattawut Somkhun, (Thai: ณัฐวุฒิ โสมกูล; born October 7, 1989), also known as Jo Nattawut and Smokin' Jo, is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer. He is a 5-time Lion Fight super welterweight champion and 1-time Lion Fight middleweight champion.[1] He currently competes in ONE Championship for ONE Super Series.
| Jo Nattawut | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nattawut Somkhun October 7, 1989 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand |
| Native name | ณัฐวุฒิ โสมกูล โจ ณัฐวุฒิ |
| Other names | Smokin' Jo |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lb; 11 st) |
| Division | Featherweight (ONE) Light middleweight Middleweight |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Style | Muay Thai |
| Fighting out of | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Team | Warrior Strength Martial Arts Thai Top Team United Training Center |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 87 |
| Wins | 72 |
| Losses | 13 |
| Draws | 2 |
As of December 20, 2023, he is ranked #3 in the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai rankings.[2]
Biography
editEarly years
editJo Nattawut (real name Nattawut Somkhun) was born in Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeastern Isan region of Thailand. Jo grew up playing football at school and spent his weekends working on local rice farms.
Early career
editJo first discovered Muay Thai at 10 years old, when he saw his football coach hitting a heavy bag. Jo asked to join, starting to train Muay Thai after football practice. He took his first fight at the age of 10 with 12 hours notice. Eventually, he decided to join a Muay Thai camp near his house and continue training in his free time. When he was 18 years old, Jo moved to Bangkok to join a gym and get serious about Muay Thai.
After a year and a half of no success in Muay Thai, Jo gave up Muay Thai and moved to Ko Pha-ngan island. During the day, he worked at a restaurant, hotel, and fitness gym, and at night he sold whiskey on the beach for tourist parties. Jo also organized Muay Thai showcases for tourists and occasionally put himself on the card to fight.
Move to the United States and career resurgence
editJo moved to the United States in early 2013. He first lived in Colorado, where he fell in love with snowboarding. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia in late 2013, where he taught kickboxing and Muay Thai classes.[3]
Lion Fight
editIn the United States, Jo fought for Lion Fight, an American Muay Thai organization based in Las Vegas. Nattawut's first fight was with one week's notice, at Lion Fight 17 against Cosmo Alexandre. Jo won by split decision. Nattawut's next fight was infamously taken on 24 hours notice against Sean Kearney at Lion Fight 19. He ended up winning the fight by unanimous decision.
At Lion Fight 22, Jo Nattawut defeated Salah Khalifa to win the Lion Fight Super Welterweight Championship. He would go on to successfully defend the super welterweight title 5 times: Charlie Peters at Lion Fight 24, Cedric Manhoef at Lion Fight 28, Hasan Toy at Lion Fight 33, Kengsiam Nor Sripueng at Lion Fight 35, and Petchtanong Banchamek at Lion Fight 37. He also defeated fellow Thai expatriate fighter Malaipet Sasiprapa at Lion Fight 32 to win the Lion Fight Middleweight Championship.
ONE Championship
editAfter winning multiple Muay Thai titles at the Lion Fight tournaments in the United States, including the Lion Fight Super Welterweight and Lion Fight Middleweight Titles, Nattawut signed a contract with ONE Championship. He made his ONE debut on April 20, 2018 at ONE Championship: Heroes of Honor in Manila, facing legendary kickboxer Giorgio Petrosyan. He lost to Petrosyan by unanimous decision.[4]
His next fight was against Yohann Drai at ONE Championship: Pursuit of Power in Kuala Lumpur on July 13, 2018. Nattawut would knock out Drai in the first round, giving him his first win in ONE Championship.[5] On November 9, 2018, he faced George Mann of Scotland at ONE Championship: Heart of the Lion in Singapore, where he won by unanimous decision.[6]
On February 16, 2019, Jo Nattawut would return to fight in Thailand for the first time since moving to the United States at ONE Championship: Clash of Legends in Bangkok. His opponent at the event was Samy Sana of France, whom he defeated by unanimous decision.[7]
2019 ONE Kickboxing Featherweight World Grand Prix
editJo Nattawut was selected to compete in the ONE Super Series Kickboxing Featherweight World Grand Prix, which included Yodsanklai Fairtex, Giorgio Petrosyan, and Dzhabar Askerov. His opponent for the Quarter-Finals was Sasha Moisa, a Ukrainian fighter who also competes in Lethwei in the World Lethwei Championship[8] (itself a partner of ONE Championship). In the Grand Prix Quarter-Finals at ONE Championship: Enter the Dragon in Singapore, he defeated Sasha Moisa via TKO, knocking down the Ukrainian 3 times in the third round, securing a win and advancing to the Grand Prix Semi-Finals.[9]
In the Kickboxing Featherweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals, he was set to face Giorgio Petrosyan a second time at ONE Championship: Dreams of Gold in Bangkok. However, in his rematch with Petrosyan, Nattawut lost by knockout in the first round, getting eliminated from the Kickboxing Featherweight World Grand Prix.[10]
Jo currently trains at his own gym, United Training Center, located in Atlanta, Georgia.[11]
2021 ONE Kickboxing Featherweight World Grand Prix
editAfter two years away, Jo Nattawut is scheduled to make his return against Yurik Davtyan in an alternate bout for the 2021 ONE Kickboxing Featherweight Grand Prix at ONE Championship: First Strike on October 15, 2021.[12] However, the fight was removed from the card for undisclosed reasons. Nattawut's fight with Davtyan was eventually rescheduled for ONE Championship: NextGen II on November 12, 2021.[13] Nattawut won by knockout in the first round.[14][15]
He was originally set to face fellow Grand Prix alternate Dovydas Rimkus at ONE: Only the Brave on January 28, 2022.[16] However, after Grand Prix semifinalist Marat Grigorian tested positive for COVID-19, Nattawut was rebooked to face Chingiz Allazov in the Grand Prix semifinals.[17][18] Nattawut lost by first-round knockout.[19]
Post Grand Prix
editNattawut faced Jamal Yusupov under Muay Thai rules at ONE 159 on July 22, 2022.[20] He lost by unanimous decision.
Nattawut faced Tawanchai P.K.Saenchai, replacing Superbon Singha Mawynn on October 7, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 15.[21] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[22]
Nattawut was scheduled to face Niclas Larsen on December 9, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 17.[23] However, Larsen withdrew from the bout due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Luke Lessei.[24] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[25]
Nattawut faced Tawanchai P.K.Saenchai in a rematch, for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship on June 7, 2024, at ONE 167.[26] He lost the fight via majority decision.[27]
Nattawut faced Superbon Singha Mawynn on September 27, 2024, at ONE Friday Fights 81.[28] He lost the fight by a first-round knockout.[29]
The trilogy bout between Nattawut and Tawanchai was scheduled on November 8, 2024, at ONE 169.[30] However, the bout was removed from the event due to Nattawut injury after losing via knockout against Superbon at ONE Friday Fights 81.[31]
Titles and accomplishments
editFight record
edit| 72 Wins, 13 Losses, 2 Draw | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-24 |  Bampara Kouyaté |
ONE 170 | Bangkok, Thailand | |||||
| 2024-09-27 | Loss |  Superbon Singha Mawynn |
ONE Friday Fights 81 | Bangkok, Thailand | KO (Elbow) | 1 | 1:43 | |
| 2024-06-08 | Loss | Tawanchai P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym |
ONE 167 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Majority) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| For the ONE Muay Thai Featherweight Championship | ||||||||
| 2023-12-09 | Win |  Luke Lessei |
ONE Fight Night 17 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2023-10-07 | Loss | Tawanchai P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym |
ONE Fight Night 15 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2022-07-22 | Loss |  Jamal Yusupov |
ONE 159 | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2022-01-28 | Loss |  Chingiz Allazov |
ONE: Only the Brave | Kallang, Singapore | KO (Left Hook) | 1 | 1:55 | |
| Kickboxing Featherweight Grand Prix Semi-finals | ||||||||
| 2021-11-12 | Win |  Yurik Davtyan |
ONE Championship: NextGen II | Singapore | KO (Right Cross) | 1 | 2:50 | |
| 2019-08-16 | Loss |  Giorgio Petrosyan |
ONE Championship: Dreams of Gold | Bangkok, Thailand | KO (Left Straight) | 1 | 2:44 | |
| Kickboxing Featherweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals | ||||||||
| 2019-05-17 | Win |  Sasha Moisa |
ONE Championship: Enter the Dragon | Kallang, Singapore | TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) | 3 | 1:24 | |
| Kickboxing Featherweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals | ||||||||
| 2019-02-16 | Win | Samy Sana |
ONE Championship: Clash of Legends | Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-11-09 | Win |  George Mann |
ONE Championship: Heart of the Lion | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-07-13 | Win | Yohann Drai |
ONE Championship: Pursuit of Power | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | KO (Punches) | 1 | 2:59 | |
| 2018-04-20 | Loss | Giorgio Petrosyan |
ONE Championship: Heroes of Honor | Manila, Philippines | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-07-28 | Win | Petchtanong Banchamek |
Lion Fight 37 | Ledyard, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defends the Lion Fight Super Welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 2017-03-03 | Win | Kengsiam Nor Sripueng |
Lion Fight 35 | Ledyard, United States | KO (Knees to the leg) | 3 | 2:40 | |
| Defends the Lion Fight Super Welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 2017-01-13 | Win |  Yan Zhao |
Superstar Fight 7 | Hunan, China | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-11-18 | Win |  Hasan Toy |
Lion Fight 33 | United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defends the Lion Fight Super Welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 2016-10-21 | Win | Malaipet Sasiprapa |
Lion Fight 32 | Las Vegas, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the vacant Lion Fight Middleweight title. | ||||||||
| 2016-07-02 | Win | Mo Zhuang |
Superstar Fight 4 | Shenzhen, China | KO | 2 | ||
| 2016-05-27 | Loss | Regian Eersel |
Lion Fight 29 | United States | KO (Right high kick) | 5 | ||
| 2016-02-26 | Win | Cedric Manhoef |
Lion Fight 28 | United States | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defends the Lion Fight super welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 2015-09-25 | Win |  Charlie Peters |
Lion Fight 24 | Ledyard, United States | KO (Elbows) | 3 | ||
| Defends the Lion Fight super welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 2015-05-22 | Win |  Salah Khalifa |
Lion Fight 22 | United States | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the Lion Fight super welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 2015-02-20 | Win | Richard Abraham |
Lion Fight 20 | United States | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2014-11-21 | Win | Sean Kerney |
Lion Fight 19 | Ledyard, United States | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2014-08-01 | Win |  Cosmo Alexandre |
Lion Fight 17 | United States | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2012-03-03 | Loss |  Toby Smith |
Domination 8 | Australia | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
References
edit- ^ ""Smokin" Jo Nattawut". strikersinternational.com. Retrieved 25 June 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Athlete Rankings | ONE Championship". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
- ^ "Get To Know: "Smokin" Jo Nattawut - ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts". onefc.com. 11 April 2018.
- ^ "ONE 'Heroes of Honor' results: Belingon, Petrosyan prevail in Manila". MMA Mania. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
- ^ "Jo Nattawut vs Yohann Fairtex Drai at 'ONE: Pursuit of Power' in Malaysia". CONAN Daily. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
- ^ "Jo Nattawut vs George Mann at 'ONE: Heart of the Lion' in Singapore". CONAN Daily. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
- ^ "Thailand's Jo Nattawut earns 3rd ONE Super Series win at 'ONE: Clash of Legends' in Bangkok". CONAN Daily. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
- ^ "FULL RESULTS FROM WORLD LETHWEI CHAMPIONSHIP 7". The Fight Nation. Archived from the original on 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
- ^ "Jo Nattawut Stuns Sasha Moisa With TKO In Kickboxing World Grand Prix". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
- ^ "Giorgio Petrosyan Hits Shocking First-Round KO To Stop Jo Nattawut". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
- ^ "United Training Center". UTC Atlanta. Archived from the original on 2020-02-06. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- ^ "No takedowns! Giorgio Petrosyan, Rodtang Jitmuangnon set for ONE Championship kick fighting card". Asian MMA. 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
- ^ "Agilan Thani faces Hiroyuki Tetsuka at ONE: 'NextGen' Part II". Asian MMA. 2021-10-31. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
- ^ "Smokin' Jo Books GP Alternate Spot By Knocking Out Yurik Davtyan". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
- ^ "Watch Jo Nattawut smoke Yurik Davtyan!". Asian MMA. 2021-11-13. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
- ^ "Dovydas Rimkus prieš Jo Nattawut – "ONE Championship" kova". 7bet.lt. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ "Marat Grigorian has Covid-19, out of featherweight Grand Prix". Asian MMA. 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ^ "Chingiz Allazov ready for a different type of challenge". Asian MMA. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ^ Khan, Arman (28 January 2022). "WATCH: Chingiz Allazov Claims a First-Round KO Victory Over Jo Nattawut at ONE: ONLY THE BRAVE". essentiallysports.com. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "Nattawut vs. Yusupov Added To ONE 159 Lead Card". MMA Sucka. 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ Henry, Blaine (2023-09-27). "BE Exclusive: Tawanchai vs. Jo Nattawut set for ONE Fight Night 15". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- ^ "Tawanchai, Pacio, Musumeci Score Victories At ONE Fight Night 15". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. 2023-10-07. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
- ^ "Niclas Larsen vs. Jo Nattawut Featherweight Muay Thai match added to ONE Fight Night 17 on December 8". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
- ^ "Luke Lessei to debut against Jo Nattawut at ONE Fight Night 17; Niclas Larsen out with injury". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "ONE Fight Night 17 Erupts with 7 Finishes at Lumpinee in Bangkok". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- ^ Joseph, Mike (2024-03-26). "Tawanchai vs Nattawut 2 Booked for ONE 167 in June". myKhel.com. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Live Now! ONE 167 'Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II' Play-by-Play & Results". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- ^ Atkin, Nicolas. "Superbon out to 'snatch' Jo Nattawut's title shot in Atlanta with ONE Friday Fights 81 knockout". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Emmerink, Ron (27 September 2024). "Keiharde knock-out! Superbon laat geen spaan heel van Jo Nattawut". Vechtsport info (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Headline Bouts for ONE 169 Announced". Sports Illustrated MMA News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ "ONE Championship Announces 2025 Calendar For Prime Video Events, Including Two U.S. On-Ground Events". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. 2024-10-05. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ Tatum, Rob. "Lion Fight 32 Results: Nattawut Tops Malaipet, Becomes Two-Division Champion".
- ^ Press, Combat. "Lion Fight 22: Nattawut vs. Khalifa Results".