Muay Thai striker Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi will fulfil a dream he never thought possible when he steps into the ring against his childhood hero Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19 in Bangkok.
The 24-year-old makes his strawweight debut against the former ONE World Champion at Lumpinee Stadium, marking a pivotal moment in the young Thai striker's career.
Jaosuayai expressed genuine shock when learning the identity of his opponent for his first appearance at 125 pounds.
"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," the Sor Dechapan fighter said.
The explosive striker secured his US$100,000 main roster contract through a spectacular knockout of Denis Puric in March 2025. That performance exemplified the finishing power that has produced six knockouts across his 11 promotional bouts.
Now dropping to strawweight, Jaosuayai faces what he considers the ultimate test against an opponent he views as flawless.
"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," he admitted.
The 42-year-old Sam-A remains one of Muay Thai's most decorated competitors.
The Evolve MMA representative has accumulated an astounding 376 victories, complementing his 10-4 ONE Championship record.
For Jaosuayai, defeating such an iconic figure would represent far more than just another victory on his record.
"If I can manage to beat Sam-A, it would be a significant historical moment and a huge source of pride in my life. After this fight, if I win, I'm ready to take on everyone in this division," the young challenger said.
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