ONE Championship: Muay Thai veteran Nong-O Gaiyanghadao vows to become world champion again before calling it quits
- Thai legend faces compatriot Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai at ONE Friday Fights 58 on April 5, looking for his first win in more than a year
- The 38-year-old admits Kualbdam will be tough, but he is confident he can clear out the bantamweight division one last time and recapture the title
Win or lose next month, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao will not be walking away from the sport.
The Muay Thai legend faces fellow Thai Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai at ONE Friday Fights 58 on April 5 and will be looking for his first win in more than a year.
Nong-O turns 38 this year and is coming off back-to-back losses. While fans have been quick to write off the veteran, he does not think age was the decisive factor in 2023 defeats to Jonathan Haggerty and Nico Carrillo.
“In my opinion, my setbacks are something that can happen to any athlete. But my heart is still fighting. My body is still able to do it. Let me say it again: this fight is not going to be my last fight.”
In Nong-O’s defence, his losses have come at the hands of the two most exciting young prospects in the division. Haggerty, 27, holds the belt and is very much in his prime while Carrillo, 25, is the top-ranked contender at bantamweight.
Nong-O looked close to finishing Carrillo with low kicks at ONE Friday Fights 46 before succumbing to a second-round elbow.