Nong-O Gayanhadao defeated rising star Club Dam So Jol Piek Utai by decision at ONE Friday Fights 58, delivering a performance that silenced critics who had said it was time for the 37-year-old to retire. Ta.
The former champions were under pressure after losing their last two matches, but responded in the best possible way by winning for the first time in a year.
“I want to tell everyone that age doesn't matter and the king is back,” he said after his win.
Clapdam, 12 years younger than Nong-O and with four impressive wins under his belt, was out of action, and the veteran former champion took advantage of the opportunity to finish strong and earn a decision victory.
Nong-O had been stopped by two previous opponents and seemed to suggest that Clapdam was disrespecting him.
“I feel like other fighters underestimate me because of my age, but they understand that I'm still powerful, my body is still good, my fitness is still good and of course I can still fight. “I don't think so,” he said. “I also have a lot of experience that they should be careful.”
Nong-O's stature in the sport is such that he will never be given an easy fight. He consistently faces the best opponents in the bantamweight division, and he believes a win over Crabdom would be enough to advance to the next level.
“I was a seven-time champion,” he said. “I think we should get the title fight.”
However, he may have to wait until next year for his chance to challenge for the belt. Nong-O knows that Super Wreck Kiatomoo 9 will be his second show stateside in September when he will face reigning champion Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 168.
“I'm not focused on the individual, I'm just focused on the belt,” he said. “So whoever is the champion at the moment, I want to fight them.”
Nong-O has already lost once to Haggerty, but he has never shared the ring with Super Wreck, although the two have faced each other on the same card numerous times throughout their careers.
Nong-O flies the flag of a fighter in his late 30s. Muay Thai is a sport where speed is absolutely important, and it is common knowledge that athletes begin to lose their speed in middle age.
The bout promoted by ONE Championship differs from traditional Muay Thai as the gloves are much smaller. This means there is no margin for error and quick reaction times and reflexes are key.
It's especially impressive that Nong-O is finding success in this format at such an advanced age.
