Strawweight Contenders Respond To Sam-A’s Opinion On Rankings
Two-sport ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao recently offered up his thoughts on the inaugural ONE Championship Athlete Rankings, and some of the top Muay Thai contenders in the strawweight division took notice.
Josh “Timebomb” Tonna, who is currently the #1-ranked Muay Thai contender in the division, believes he has earned a shot at Sam-A’s ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship and previously challenged the reigning titleholder to a match.
While Sam-A praised the Australian’s skills, he also mentioned where he would have the advantage if they were to meet toe-to-toe in the Circle.
This past Thursday, 2 July, Tonna responded to the Singapore-based Thai and doubled-down on his sentiments in a social media post.
“Sam-A thinks he can beat me. Let’s put it to the test. Who wants to see this happen in 2020,” Tonna asked his Instagram followers.
However, “Timebomb” isn’t the only person who responded to the Evolve MMA representative’s opinion.
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Multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Andy “Punisher” Howson, who is the #4-ranked Muay Thai contender in the strawweight division, also heard the reigning titleholder’s thoughts about him.
The Singapore-based Thai superstar praised his skill set and even called him the most dangerous person in the weight class. Howson, for one, was honored by the living legend’s praise.
“I’m humbled by this as I’ve looked up to Sam-A and he’s been one of my favorite fighters pretty much my entire career, so for him to say this about me has given me a huge boost, and I can’t wait to get back in there,” the British star wrote in an Instagram post on Friday, 3 July.
“It would be an honor to face him at some point and it would be fireworks with our styles.”
Sam-A’s first ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title defense has not been confirmed, but it seems like at least two of the division’s top contenders are excited at the prospect of challenging him for the crown.
Read more: Sam-A Gaiyanghadao Answers Josh Tonna’s Challenge
