ONE Championship Friday Fights 9: Sam-A Gaiyanghadao posts bonus-winning KO in comeback bout
- 39-year old former champ returned to ONE after two years away, and scored an impressive second-round KO against Ireland’s Ryan Sheehan
- Later in the night, bantamweight veteran Muangthai P.K. Saenchai earned a bonus of his own with a vicious knockout of Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao put forth a vintage performance in his comeback fight at ONE Championship Friday Fights 9 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 39-year-old Thai returned to action against Ireland’s Ryan Sheehan at the event in the famed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. It was his first fight in ONE since 2021, when he retired from international competition.
It was like he never left.
The Thai, who has competed in well over 350 fights, was in control of the action from the opening bell until the 2:52 mark of round two, when he sent his foe crashing to the canvas for a knockout win.
“First and foremost I have to thank [ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong] for giving me the opportunity to be here,” he said in his post-fight interview with commentator Mitch Chilson, with a big smile on his face. “I just proved to to myself that age is just a number.”