Update 26th January: Sam-A cruised through the first round and felled his opponent 3 times to take home the win via referee stoppage (TKO due to strikes). Total domination. Despite being 8 years older than Lasiri, Sam-A shows why he is one of the greatest Muay Thai legends. See highlights of the fight on ONE Championship Facebook page.

Multiple-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai world champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao of Thailand is considered one of the prime talents in the history of Thai boxing, having figured in over 400 matches in his career which spans over 20 years of competition experience.

Now a world-class instructor at Singapore’s prestigious Evolve MMA, Sam-A is set to showcase his skills in a different stadium — the ONE Championship cage.

At ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES this Friday night, Sam-A will take to the ONE Championship cage in an authentic Muay Thai match opposite Milan, Italy’s Joseph “Hurricane” Lasiri.

Though the match is being competed under Muay Thai rules, this will be the first time Sam-A competes in front of a live audience the calibre of ONE Championship, and the first time the Thai warrior will be able to showcase his skills live to millions of fans across the world. Still, the 34-year-old veteran believes his martial arts experience has prepared him well for this moment.

“As a martial artist, you must always be prepared for the unpredictable,” said Sam-A. “Being in the ring conditions you to face the unexpected. You must anticipate what you can, and see what happens next.”

Thai boxing legend Sam-A is Lumpinee’s ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2011, and sports an astonishing 364-46-9 professional Muay Thai record. His a multiple-time Super Flyweight and Bantamweight World Champion who has competed against some of the biggest names in the sport including Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Pornsanae Sitmonchai, Penek Sitnumnoi, Petchboonchu FA Group, and Singtongnoi Por Telakun, among others.

His opponent, Lasiri, on the other hand is also a highly-decorated kickboxer. The Italian “Hurricane” boasts of a 31-5 professional record and is the former WBA Muay Thai Super Bantamweight World Champion.

ONE Championship has often showcased traditional martial arts in the cage, and this certainly isn’t the first time.

Previously the promotion has held authentic Lethwei and Khun Khmer bouts inside the cage, as well as just last week a pure-grappling match-up between Japan’s Shinya Aoki and Russia’s Marat Gafurov. To be able to showcase the beauty and authenticity of Muay Thai in a different arena would open up the sport globally, bringing to light the greatness of Asian martial arts.

“Looking back at the crazy journey I’ve been on, I feel very grateful to be here. I will do my best to inspire the many fans watching from all over that martial arts can truly change lives,” Sam-A concluded.

ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES is set for 26 January at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. The spectacular card is headlined by Filipino flyweight standout Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio who battles Kazakhstan’s Kairat Akhmetov in a highly-anticipated rematch for the ONE Interim Flyweight World Championship.

TV: Check local listings for global broadcast



