Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao “ready to fight” for either strawweight Muay Thai or kickboxing belts
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao wants to make one final run for either of his old world titles before he fully hangs up the gloves.
The Thai legend is coming off a clinical unanimous decision win over Chinese phenom Zhang Peimian at the stacked ONE 169 card this weekend at Lumpinee Stadium.
In an interview with ONE Championship Thailand, Sam-A said he'll leave the direction of his next few matches up to the promotion but expressed his intention to challenge Prajanchai PK Saenchai for either the ONE strawweight kickboxing or Muay Thai world titles.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao said:
"After this, it depends on ONE to give me the opportunity to go in which direction. I hope to have the opportunity to fight for the world championship in Muay Thai or kickboxing. I am confident now and ready to fight in both rules."
Sam-A is one of the greatest Thai fighters of all time and held multiple Lumpinee Stadium world titles before he arrived at ONE Championship in January 2018.
He then catapulted his legacy even further when he captured the inaugural ONE flyweight Muay Thai, strawweight Muay Thai, and strawweight kickboxing world championships from 2018 to 2020.
Although Sam-A has relinquished those world titles, he remains a force to be reckoned with and is coming off two straight victories over Akram Hamidi and Zhang.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao says his game plan against Zhang Peimian worked out to perfection at ONE 169
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao's display of technical brilliance was the perfect example of using wit to counter a younger opponent's speed and power.
The 41-year-old Thai legend is 20 years the senior of Zhang Peimian, but that age difference only gave him immense fighting wisdom that he used against the 'The Fighting Rooster' in Bangkok.
In his in-ring interview with ONE Championship commentator Mitch Chilson, Sam-A said he deliberately slowed the pace against Zhang while using quick one-hit counters to throw the Chinese star's momentum.
"My plan coming up here tonight was to feel out something that I can exploit in half of the first round. Then I started to go in, using my hands and using my knees."
Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada can watch the free replay of ONE 169 on demand.