Prajanchai PongSuphan PK has watched Sam-A Gaiyanghadao operate at an elite level for decades. Despite the latter’s advancing age, the ONE strawweight Muay Thai World Champion believes the living legend still has plenty left in the tank.
The 42-year-old has continued to defy Father Time in recent outings, proving that he still has plenty to offer in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, a former two-sport, two-division ONE world champion, has racked up three straight wins to earn another massive shot at 26 pounds of gold next.
He collides with Malaysian-Thai slugger Aliff Sor Dechapan for the ONE interim strawweight Muay Thai world championship, with the winner earning a unification shot at Prajanchai.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Their world title tilt will headline The Inner Circle 23 in Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 24.
During an interview with Muay Thai Around The World, Prajanchai, who is currently on the sidelines due to injury, broke down his read on the veteran’s current form.
“From my perspective, I think Sam-A is fresh. You can’t call him old because he’s been dangerous lately. Even though he’s older, don’t forget he’s a living legend,” Prajanchai said.
The Thai megastar further added, “Sam-A has improved a lot because his body is better, his physique is better, and he has sports science involved. His body is extraordinary for his age.”
Prajanchai’s analysis on Sam-A Gaiyanghadao is spot on
Prajanchai’s read on Sam-A Gaiyanghadao’s condition is accurate.
Plenty of veterans lose sharpness once age catches up with them. Sam-A, however, has continued sharpening his body, refining his craft, and leveraging modern sports science to keep himself operating at an elite level.
The 42-year-old, who represents Evolve MMA, has showed no signs of slowing down.
At an age where most fighters worry about how much more they have left in the tank, the multi-time Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion is fighting like a warrior in his prime.
The Inner Circle 23 will be available to subscribers, live in Asia primetime, exclusively at live.onefc.com.
Edited by Aziel Karthak