Akif Guluzada’s jumping knee changed everything for Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi in October. The first-round knockdown at ONE Fight Night 36 snapped his five-fight winning streak and forced the 24-year-old Thai knockout artist into uncomfortable introspection about his future at flyweight.

Now that reflection has brought him to a defining crossroads — a strawweight Muay Thai debut against former two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at ONE Friday Fights 137: Tawanchai vs. Liu on Friday, December 19, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium in Asia primetime.

The decision to drop from 135 pounds to 125 represents strategy rather than retreat. Jaosuayai’s weight climbed only four or five pounds after the Guluzada loss, prompting consultation with his coach about moving to a division he hadn’t competed in for four or five years. His improved training protocols naturally dropped his weight while enhancing his energy, elusiveness, and speed — physical changes that suggested strawweight would actually optimize his performance rather than compromise it.

“This decision is not about running away from the 135-pound division, as some have criticized. It’s because my improved training plan has made my body condition better, and my weight has been dropping automatically,” Jaosuayai said.

“I feel more energetic, elusive, and faster now, which should lead to more evenly matched and exciting opponents than at 135 pounds.”

The Guluzada defeat revealed harsh lessons about preparation and composure. Although Jaosuayai applied pressure over the final two rounds and even wobbled his opponent, that early knockdown proved insurmountable as the Azerbaijani stayed one step ahead throughout to claim unanimous decision victory. His brutally honest assessment identified where things went wrong beyond the obvious damage.

“Personally, I think the game plan and style for the last fight with Akif was a mess. Although we had a good plan, we messed up in the first round when Akif countered my head-lowering punch with a jumping knee, which led to me being counted,” he said.

“In that moment I was counted, I lost control. It was like my vision cut out, and I instantly blacked out. But with so many fans cheering for me, it gave me the determination to fight back and grit my teeth to get back up and continue the fight.”

That setback dropped his ONE Championship record to 8-3 with six knockouts across 11 promotional appearances, yet his overall career slate of 60-23 includes spectacular finishes of Denis Puric and Nakrob Fairtex — the latter demolished in just 52 seconds this past June after earning his life-changing six-figure contract in March. Those performances showcased the flying knees, devastating kicks, and spectacular spinning elbows that built his reputation before Guluzada exposed defensive vulnerabilities requiring correction.

Sam-A represents the ultimate test for any strawweight debut. The 42-year-old Evolve MMA stalwart owns an astonishing 376 career victories while capturing inaugural ONE World Titles across two sports — the Flyweight Muay Thai Championship in 2018, Strawweight Kickboxing crown in 2019, and Strawweight Muay Thai throne in February 2020. His dominant unanimous decision over Myanmar’s Thway Lin Htet at ONE Friday Fights 126 in September proved age hasn’t diminished the legend’s capabilities.

“For my 125-pound debut, I was extremely surprised when ONE confirmed my opponent would be the legendary Sam-A. It never crossed my mind that I would get the chance to fight a legend whom I have been a fan of since I first started training,” Jaosuayai said.

“I see Sam-A as a true Muay Thai legend with no flaws, whether it’s his strategy, striking, heavy left kick, or toughness. I consider this the toughest opponent of my career.”

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