Former two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao proved that age remains just a number on Friday, December 19, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over rising star Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi at ONE Friday Fights 137. The 42-year-old Thai legend survived early adversity inside Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium to drop his younger opponent twice in the second round before utilizing his veteran savvy to secure the win. With the victory improving his record to 377-50, Sam-A has positioned himself for one final championship run – potentially targeting a rematch with ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella or a trilogy with ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai in 2026.

The Veteran Weathers Early Storm

Sam-A Gaiyanghadao understands he's competing in the twilight of an illustrious career, but retirement discussions will have to wait. The Evolve MMA representative isn't merely surviving against younger competition – he’s defeating both Father Time and the division's most promising talents. At ONE Friday Fights 137, he welcomed one of the organization's brightest strikers to the strawweight division and emerged victorious despite facing significant early adversity.

When the Thai icon squared off against Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi, a highly regarded top-five flyweight contender making his strawweight debut, the opening round belonged entirely to youth. The 24-year-old showcased the speed and power that made him a feared flyweight, lighting up the legendary Thai striker with crisp combinations. Jaosuayai even wobbled Sam-A during exchanges, suggesting the 42-year-old might be facing a deficit too large to overcome.

However, championship pedigree reveals itself when pressure mounts. Sam-A remained composed despite the difficult start, trusting his decades of experience to identify defensive lapses in his opponent's aggressive approach. That patience paid immediate dividends in round two when he caught Jaosuayai with a perfectly timed counter left hook that sent the rising star crashing to the canvas for the fight's first knockdown.

"At that moment, he threw a hook, and I pulled back and threw a left hook in," Sam-A said. "Even after getting the first count, I still couldn't underestimate him because he's already a good puncher. I had to stay tight and be careful throughout. [It] was painful because his punches are very fast and very heavy.”

Experience Proves Decisive

Jaosuayai demonstrated remarkable resilience, immediately rallying from the knockdown to wobble the veteran southpaw. The Sor Dechapan representative appeared capable of turning the momentum back in his favor, but Sam-A had already downloaded his opponent's patterns. The Evolve MMA icon responded with a uppercut-left cross combination that dropped Jaosuayai and produced a second knockdown in the same round.

The double-knockdown second frame proved decisive. Sam-A seized control and never relinquished it, utilizing sharp elbows and crafty counters throughout the final round to seal the unanimous decision on all three judges' scorecards. His ability to weather the early storm and capitalize on opportunities separated championship-level experience from raw talent.

Sam-A entered the contest with legitimate concerns about Jaosuayai's power advantage. The younger fighter had built his reputation at flyweight by knocking out opponents with relative ease, and dropping to strawweight theoretically would only enhance his destructive capabilities. However, the veteran correctly predicted that the move down to strawweight might neutralize some of those advantages.

"He's very good in the 135-pound division, knocking people out easily. I was concerned about this because his hands are very good," Sam-A explained. "But when he dropped down to this weight class, he might be tired, he might be drained, and he might not be used to this weight yet.”

Unfinished Business Fuels Final Run

Despite accumulating historic achievements across both Muay Thai and kickboxing during his legendary career, one specific moment continues haunting Sam-A. At ONE 172 earlier this year, the decorated striker challenged Jonathan Di Bella for the ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Title in what represented an opportunity to add another belt to his overflowing trophy case. After a competitive battle, he was forced to accept defeat – a result that still stings months later.

Sam-A desperately wants another opportunity to challenge the Italian-Canadian dynamo, who has since unified the strawweight kickboxing crown. A rematch would allow the Thai icon to prove that his ONE 172 performance didn't accurately reflect his capabilities.

Beyond the kickboxing dream, he also harbors ambitions of reclaiming the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title from Prajanchai PK Saenchai, setting up a fascinating trilogy showdown.

The victory over Jaosuayai represents a critical step toward earning those championship opportunities. Sam-A knows time is running out, but he refuses to retire without exhausting every possibility for one final moment of glory. At 42 years old, most fighters would be content with their accomplishments and fade quietly. But not this legend. He’s determined to prove he still belongs among the elite.

"I want to have a chance to challenge for the championship again," Sam-A said, "to see if at this age I'll still have an opportunity."

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