“I want to be a champion” - Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao wants one final world title run before hanging up the gloves
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao already established himself as one of the greatest Muay Thai artists of all time, yet his story is far from finished.
The Thai legend is coming off a brutal one-shot knockout of Akram Hamidi at ONE Friday Fights 81 this past week at the historic Lumpinee Stadium. He wants that win to become a stepping stone to his final run in ONE Championship.
Following his win over Hamidi, Sam-A told Nic Atkin he plans to push for one final world title run before hanging up his gloves for good.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao said:
"Yes, for sure. Before I retire, I want to be a champion first, then I retire."
Sam-A was the first winner of three world titles in ONE Championship when he wreaked havoc in the promotion from 2018 to 2020.
He became the inaugural ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion when he beat Sergio Wielzen for the strap in May 2018 in Singapore.
After losing his first piece of ONE Championship gold to Jonathan Haggerty, Sam-A dropped to the 125-pound division to simultaneously hold the ONE strawweight kickboxing and Muay Thai world titles.
Sam-A first became the ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion when he dominated Wang Junguang in December 2019.
A couple of months later, Sam-A added the ONE strawweight Muay Thai world title to his collection after beating Rocky Ogden in February 2020.
Sam-A's strawweight world titles, however, are now in Prajanchai PK Saenchai's possession, and it's unclear which belts the veteran icon will challenge for.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao says he still has a lot left in the tank
Professional athletes often retire when they hit their late 30s, but Sam-A Gaiyanghadao is having none of that.
The 40-year-old believes he has enough left in his gas tank to mount another run at ONE Championship gold.
In the same interview with Nic Atkin, Sam-A said the Muay Thai and kickboxing community better believe he's still as dangerous as ever.
"Yes, some people already don’t believe in me, but now, I let you see that you need to believe me now."
Watch Sam-A's entire interview below: