Muay Thai star Buakaw Banchamek and Kung Fu fighter Yi Long are expected to square off for the third time this year in Hong Kong. The pair first met mid 2015 in Jiyuan, where “White Lotus” won a three-round kickboxing bout by a unanimous decision. The second encounter in November 2016 in Nanjing ended in favor of the latter, who took the revenge also by decision.

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Their scheduled third fight was announced in March targeting the date in October. Early May the “Mas Fight” promotion announced the date of November 2 to feature the trilogy. Yet, last night (May 28) a new date, October 8 was set as the “D-Day” for the rematch. The announcement was made during the event headlined by Yodwicha Banchamek up against Vuyisile Colossa.

“Check out who are in the house for tonight’s MAS Fight Hong Kong Grand Prix – it’s Buakaw and Yi Long! A press conference for the highly-anticipated rematch will be held at the event tonight. More details on the 8 October showdown will be announced. Stay tuned,” reads the post on Facebook.

Win only by KO

The third fight between Buakaw Banchamek and Yi Long goes under unusual rules. The pair meets in the scheduled for one by nine minutes round bout wearing 5 OZ gloves. Punches, kicks, elbows and knees are allowed, which is equivalent to Muay Thai. In addition the athletes are allowed to execute trips, sweeps, takedowns and throws.

With no judges ringside, the contender has to score a knockout, with a three-knockdown rule in place. The draw is declared if the bout goes the distance.

In his previous outing in March Buakaw Banchamek claimed a unanimous decision against Artem Pashporin. He is riding the six-fight win streak.

Yi Long was last in action in November 2018 when he faced Choi Hong-man in an exhibition bout. Before that he suffered two back to back losses by knockout against Saiyok Pumpanmuang and Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong.