‘I’m Not Done Yet’ – Nong-O’s Hunger For Greatness Burns Bright Ahead Of ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix
Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama has captured almost every major accolade the sport has to offer, but the 40-year-old striking icon is far from finished writing his legacy.
He returns to action at The Inner Circle 38 to face Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash of the 2026-2027 ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix. Their marquee all-Thai showdown takes place at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, November 13. Subscribers can catch the action exclusively at live.onefc.com.
As an eight-time ONE World Champion and four-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion, Nong-O has firmly secured his place on the Mount Rushmore of striking greats. Yet beyond the glittering trophy case is a martial artist with plenty more to prove.
One More Chapter
Few fighters have enjoyed a sustained peak quite like Nong-O’s, but the decorated Thai veteran knows that past achievements count for little when a fresh challenge awaits.
The Grand Prix has assembled eight of the planet’s most elite flyweights, with a fascinating generational contrast running directly through the ultra-competitive bracket. Having already achieved absolute dominance on the global stage, the opportunity to add another unique distinction to his resume is one he deeply relishes.
Nong-O told onefc.com:
“The fact that the World Grand Prix winner gets two belts is awesome. I’ve already won the gold belt, and it felt amazing. Now, I really want that silver belt to sit right next to my gold one. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to make it happen.”
Standing between Nong-O and that ultimate ambition, however, is a field packed with considerably younger challengers. For context, the 40-year-old is exactly twice the age of the tournament’s youngest participant, 20-year-old Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash.
Some critics may question whether his finest days are safely in the rearview mirror, but the Evolve MMA and Superbon Training Camp representative insists his internal competitive fire burns as hot as ever.
Nong-O added:
“I don’t put too much thought [about my age]. I still train the same, take care of my body the same, and manage to go all-out in fight camp. I have the exact same hunger and drive I had when I was 20 or 25. I’m not done yet.
“The rest of the participants are all young, fresh, and pack heavy power. But I’m not letting that get to me. My job is to train to the absolute limit, fight with everything I have, and win every single match [until I get the belts].”
The Reasons That Keep Him Fighting
Beyond the championship hardware and public adulation, Nong-O’s greatest motivation is profoundly personal.
After dedicating the vast majority of his life to “the art of eight limbs,” the legendary striker has built a lasting legacy his family can take immense pride in. And as he continues to test his mettle against the absolute best in the world, there is one highly specific reason he flatly refuses to slow down.
The Bangkok resident added:
“Besides fighting for myself and the fans, I’m fighting for my family and my kids. I want to show my children that even at this age, their dad is still out there fighting hard.”
That exact determination has shaped Nong-O into the peerless tactician he is today. Decades spent competing at the highest possible level have gifted him a masterful understanding of the sport that only a lifetime of ring miles can bring. While the younger generation may bring fresh stamina and raw athleticism to the table, the Thai icon possesses an unmatched fight IQ to draw upon.
Experience, however, has never meant standing still. Even at this late stage of his career, the Bangkok-based warrior remains entirely committed to finding new ways to sharpen his tools and stay one step ahead of the evolving competition.
He explained:
“What I have now over my younger self is definitely experience – years of reading fights and adapting on the fly. Lately, I’ve also been putting extra focus on building up my physical strength and power.”
