‘Most Of My Life Has Been Spent In The Gym’ – Inside Jaosuayai’s Road To ONE Championship
Surging Thai knockout artist Joasuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi is eager to deliver another electric performance and land himself in the flyweight Muay Thai division’s top five when he takes on #4-ranked contender Nakrob Fairtex.
That highly anticipated clash is set for the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 32: Rodrigues vs. Cohen on Prime Video and will mark Jaosuayai’s U.S. primetime debut on Friday, June 6.
After nine thrilling battles in ONE, including five spectacular knockouts, the 23-year-old striker has emerged as a fan favorite and one of the division’s most dangerous athletes.
Before this high-stakes contest goes down in front of a Thai crowd at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, we look at the rising star’s journey to the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Family TV Time To Fighting Dreams
Jaosuayai’s path to ONE Championship began in a modest household in Thailand. He told onefc.com that he enjoyed a relatively normal, stable upbringing:
“I have four siblings, and I’m the third child. My father worked as a pile-driver contractor, and my mother was a housewife. I’m the only one in my family who became a Muay Thai fighter. We lived a typical life, financially.”
Like countless other young Thais, Joasuayai began training and competing in Muay Thai at a young age – and quickly set himself apart from many of his peers.
But unlike many Muay Thai superstars who come from a long line of fighters, his passion for “the art of eight limbs” was sparked by simple family moments watching television with his father.
Coupled with Jaosuayai’s love for martial arts movies, that planted the seed that would eventually grow into a professional career:
“I started Muay Thai when I was 7 years old. I asked Mr. Chet if I could train [at Sor Dechapan gym], and he allowed me to live at the gym, which is where I’ve been ever since. Most of my life has been spent in the gym; I haven’t had much time at home.
“My inspiration for Muay Thai came from my dad. He loved watching it on TV every Sunday, a live broadcast on Channel 7. I would sit and watch the matches with him, and that’s how I gradually became interested. Then I saw the movie ‘Ong-Bak.’ I really liked Tony Jaa’s action and wanted to be like him.”
Finding His Path
When opportunity knocked, the young Joasuayai answered.
After just a tiny bit of formal training, he competed in his first-ever Muay Thai fight:
“One day, a senior member of the gym asked if I wanted to try. I said yes and trained there for about a week. Then they told me there would be a Muay Thai competition at the annual fair. That was my first fight ever, and I was 7 years old at the time.”
With his ever-supportive mother and father watching ringside, the young Jaosuayai suffered a defeat. Despite the disappointing result, the experience taught him valuable, hard-earned lessons about overcoming his worries and focusing his mind while under pressure.
Most importantly, he realized that fighting was something he wanted to experience over and over again:
“My parents came to cheer me on at my first fight, but I lost by knockout. My first fight experience was scary because I didn’t expect it to hurt so much.
“I was very nervous and felt a lot of pressure before and after the fight. But once I was in there, I forgot my fear and just focused on the fight. And I actually enjoyed it.”
Following that baptism by fire, Jaosuayai took home a small paycheck and found plenty of motivation to continue.
Nearly two decades later, he is fighting on the biggest stage for combat sports:
“The turning point that really got me hooked on Muay Thai was getting the money from that fight and having a great time with my friends. That’s when I decided to focus on this path. I’ve been a Muay Thai fighter for 16 years now.”
Overcoming Struggles In The Big City
Coming from a rural area, Joasuayai faced both culture shock and challenges in the ring when he moved to Bangkok to pursue bigger opportunities.
Long before he was recognized as one of his country’s most promising names, he battled through adversity as he cut his teeth as an emerging talent:
“The hardest time in my career was probably when I moved to Bangkok and started fighting in standard rings. I struggled with losses, weight cutting, and exhaustion, which made me want to quit.”
The obstacles faced during this transitional period – whether homesickness or difficulty dealing with a step-up in competition – were never truly discouraging.
For Joasuayai, his family’s unending support made all the difference and helped him overcome those challenges:
“I got through that difficult time because of my family. My dad told me I might have failed this time, but why not try again? I had to overcome this obstacle and just needed to be more determined.
“So, I went back to the drawing board, started to strategize and prepare myself before fights. I improved and eventually got through it.”
Dreams Coming True In ONE
Joasuayai persevered, racked up numerous impressive victories on the ultra-tough Thai circuit, and in 2023, made his successful promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 20.
He has since compiled a 7-2 record in the organization, using his relentless pacing and impressive power to establish himself as a must-watch fighter.
Naturally, his efforts have led to more recognition:
“I’m happy that more fans follow me and that more people know about me. Sometimes I get comments from fans, and if they see me near the gym, they’ll greet me and ask for a selfie. It makes me want to do my best for them.”
Jaosuayai’s incredible run of dominance at ONE Friday Fights earned him a coveted six-figure contract and a spot on ONE’s main roster.
Once a young boy who lost his first fight by knockout, he’s now living out his dream on the global stage:
“Before, I only dreamed of having a chance to fight in ONE someday. Now, not only did I get to compete at ONE Friday Fights, but I also got a contract. It’s something I’m incredibly happy about. I never thought I would reach this point. It feels worthwhile.”
