BANGKO, July 24, 2026 – In a landmark moment for Malaysian combat sports, 22-year-old Aliff Sor Dechapan (also known as Aliff Rakib) became the first Malaysian to win a ONE Championship world title on Friday night.
Fighting in the main event of The Inner Circle 23 at Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium, the Kelantan-born fighter stopped Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao via knockout at 1:09 of the fifth round to capture the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship.
The victory improved Aliff’s professional record to 63-9 and earned him a US$50,000 performance bonus. The Kuala Lumpur-based striker, who trains out of the Sor Dechapan gym, had promised to bring the belt home to Malaysia and delivered in spectacular fashion against the 42-year-old former two-sport, two-division ONE world champion.
In his post-fight interview, an emotional Aliff dedicated the win to his country and his father, former boxer Rakib Ahmad. “For Malaysia and his dad,” the newly crowned champion said, expressing the deep personal and national significance of the achievement.
Aliff controlled large portions of the fight before finishing strongly in the final round. A right cross dropped Sam-A, and after the veteran beat the count, the Malaysian-Thai prospect swarmed with a head kick and another right hand that forced the referee to wave off the contest.
The triumph sets up a potential unification bout with reigning ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai Pongsuphan PK once the titleholder returns from injury. The two fighters already shared a tense face-off inside the ring after Aliff’s victory.
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim had publicly backed Aliff ahead of the fight, urging the nation to support its rising star. With this historic win, Aliff has not only fulfilled a personal dream but also put Malaysian Muay Thai firmly on the global map.
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