In Photos: Sam-A Displays Timeless Technique At ONE Fight Night 42 Open Workout
Age has not slowed Sam-A Gaiyanghadao down. If anything, it has sharpened him.
At 42, when most peers have long since hung up their gloves, the former multiple-time ONE World Champion continues to chase greatness with the hunger of a fighter half his age.
That pursuit carries him to ONE Fight Night 42: Mann vs. Dzhabrailov on Prime Video. The Thai legend takes on Moroccan standout Elmehdi “The Sniper” El Jamari in a strawweight Muay Thai clash live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s historic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, April 10.
With his 437th career bout on the horizon, Sam-A has been putting in the work at the new Evolve MMA gym in Bangkok, Thailand.
This past Tuesday, March 31, the icon opened the doors to the media for an open workout session at the state-of-the-art facility, offering a glimpse of the preparation fueling his latest campaign.
Sam-A dazzled on the pads, showcasing the pristine technique that has led to 377 career victories and multiple World Titles. His warmth and charisma shone just as brightly when he fielded questions from the press.
The Buriram native has made history during his time in the world’s largest martial arts organization, as he captured the inaugural ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title in May 2018, ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title in December 2019, and ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title in February 2020.
When pundits wrote Sam-A off following an interim title loss to reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella at ONE 172 in March 2025, the living legend responded in the most emphatic fashion.
The ageless muay femur refused to be a stepping stone for promising young fighters looking to build their names off his. First, he defeated rampaging Myanmar-born contender Thway Lin Htet via unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 126 last September. Then, he delivered the same verdict to compatriot Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi at ONE Friday Fights 137 last December, a hard-hitting Thai who is 18 years his junior.
Now riding a two-bout winning streak, Sam-A looks to humble yet another rising talent in El Jamari. Another victory would put him one step closer to reclaiming the World Title gold that once defined his reign.
Before ONE Fight Night 42 goes down live in U.S. primetime on April 10, take a look at some photos from his recent open workout.
