“I signed a contract to fight her and was looking forward to fighting her before she retires and I wish her a happy retirement,” Sandel told the Post.
Sandel also saw his title fight with Jackie Vantan fall apart at the last minute last year. At the time, her ONE Championship was able to quickly find a replacement, with atomweight champion Alicia Rodriguez stepping up to replace her.
Sander never faced the Brazilian, as she did a few months ago in a non-title kickboxing match against Milana Bjeroglic, winning a clear decision.
Sandel is happy to be back after a long hiatus and could have been even better had ONE Championship not held out against Barlow.
“She had a few offers for 2023 and this year as well, but I heard she already retired in October or November. Maybe there was a miscommunication there, but I don't know. I don't know,” Sandel said.
Her next opponent, Diachikova, has won four of four matches in the ONE Lumpinee Series, with three of those wins coming in the opening round.
Sandel described Russians as “tough” and said he had great respect for them.
“It’s been eight months, so I’m excited to get back in the ring. I’m excited to fight Natalya – she’s on a winning streak at ONE Lumpinee – but all my matches are tough. I think.”
The Swedish teenager is one of the tallest fighters in the strawweight division. She has dominated smaller opponents with her clinch game and knee techniques, but is also working on other aspects of her Muay Thai game in preparation for her second title defense.
“I've tried everything, but boxing is my sharpest weapon right now.”
She also takes some tips from one of the best pound-for-pound Muay Thai fighters on the planet, Tawanchai PK Saengchai Jim. He met her during her recent trip to Bangkok.
“I had a lot of fun sparring with Tawanchai, but it was just sparring, nothing difficult,” said Sander, the current ONE Championship Featherweight Muay Thai Champion, who showed off some new tricks. he said.
“He's a nice guy outside the ring, he's got great technique and he showed me that. He's a very good fighter, very strong mentally and strong physically. I'd like to give you some tips. picked up and he showed me the fancy tip [frontal kick] and try using it. ”
Barlow's retirement means one potential matchup is eliminated, but Sandel feels there are three opponents he would like to face.
“Ekaterina (Vandalieva) is a good fighter, so is Martina (Kieczynska). Jackie (Buntan) is always there.”
The list of atomweight fighters is a little longer, but few would want to face an opponent of Sandel's size and stature.
However, there is one fighter in that division, and the Swedish teenager has been chasing him for several years.
“Pegjija (Rukjaoporonthom) was my first idol in the sport as I watched her at the Thai Fight in Koh Samui when my family moved to Thailand.
“It was my first time seeing a big show live, and I was like, ‘Wow, she’s good.’ I respected her then, and I respect her even more now – She’s strong.”
Sander was only 12 years old when he first saw Pezilla play on Koh Samui. Her idol would have become her direct rival by now if it weren't for the 4.5 kg weight difference between the two.
Sandel won the belt in 2022, making him the youngest titleholder in ONE Championship history, but he is still a teenager. The Swedish fighter is getting better and better, but it doesn't seem like her opponents are waiting in the wings to take on her.
Although Sandel was clearly disappointed that Barlow decided to retire without facing him, he believes there is still plenty of talent on the ONE Championship roster of his equals.
“I think all the girls are growing. If they go to the gym every day, their bodies will get better.”
Diahakova has at least answered the call and is set to headline Night 22 of ONE Fight against Sandel at Lumpinee Stadium next month.
And waiting in the wings are players like Buntan and Vandalieva. Sandel just hopes they don't decide to retire her before they meet her.
