Sam-A Is Back On The ONE World Title Trail And El Jamari Is In His Way
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao is 42 years old and has a 377-win career record spread across more than three decades of professional competition. He has held the inaugural ONE Flyweight Muay Thai, ONE Strawweight Muay Thai, and ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Titles. And right now, he wants the belt back.
The path to that runs through Moroccan knockout artist Elmehdi “The Sniper” El Jamari at ONE Fight Night 42 on Prime Video on Friday, April 10, live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
Sam-A’s last two performances have answered every critic who suggested his best days were behind him. A second-round knockdown win over Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi at ONE Friday Fights 137 last December was particularly sharp. It wasn’t a product of desperation, but of patience and timing deployed exactly as they should be by someone who has seen every situation a Muay Thai fight can produce.
“I spent the first round just feeling him out because I knew he had dangerous hands,” he said of the Jaosuayai fight. “By round two, I knew he’d press forward, so I waited for him to slip up. The knockdown came right as he was winding up for a hook. I pulled back, saw an opening, and just pierced him with that left hand.”
Two wins in a row. And with them, a specific destination back in view.
“Winning three in a row would put me right back in title contention,” he said. “My goal is clear. I want that belt back, whether it’s Muay Thai or Kickboxing. Age doesn’t matter as long as you’re prepared.”
El Jamari is a legitimate threat to that goal. The Barcelona-based Moroccan flattened Thongpoon PK Saenchai with a left hook on his ONE debut and pushed Aliff Sor Dechapan to a close decision in his second appearance. His hands are heavy, his composure under the bright lights has been notably solid, and he arrives in Bangkok hungry to derail a legend’s final title push.
Sam-A has watched the tape, identified the danger, and reached a conclusion shaped by experience rather than bravado.
“Elmehdi is dangerous. He’s got heavy hands and a scary hook,” he said. “But my edge is experience. I’ve seen it all. He’s got the power, but I’ve dealt with Jaosuayai’s power already, so I’m confident I can handle him. I plan to use every tool in Muay Thai to show him the beauty of the art.”
“Age is just a number, and I’m going to go out there and prove it once again.”
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