‘The King Is Back’ – Nong-O Aims To Reclaim World Title After Big Win Over Kulabdam
At ONE Friday Fights 58: Superbon vs. Grigorian II on April 5, former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama snapped a two-fight skid with an impressive decision victory over surging knockout artist “Left Meteorite” Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai.
The 37-year-old icon was happy to bounce back and remind fans across the globe that he’s still an elite talent.
After his victory, a proud and unreserved Nong-O spoke to the assembled media:
“I would like to let everyone know that age is not a problem – and the king is back.”
The former titleholder looked in top shape, unaffected by the losses he suffered to current ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty and #1-ranked contender Nico “King of the North” Carrillo.
Before his losing streak, the Thai legend had racked up 10 straight victories in the world’s largest martial arts organization, including eight ONE World Title wins and five consecutive knockouts.
Given his long tenure in the sport and his recent setbacks, many fellow athletes might have assumed Nong-O was on the way out. However, he was happy to prove them wrong:
“I feel like other fighters had underestimated me because of my age, but I don’t think they realize that I am still powerful, my body is still good, my physical strength is still good, and I can still fight, of course. I also have a lot of experience that they should be careful of.”
A veteran of well over 300 career fights, the Evolve MMA representative says the key to his sustained success and longevity is how he looks after his body.
He added:
“It all depends on how you take care of yourself. You know, there are a lot of fighters who are the same age as me, and they are still fighting actively, so I think it’s all about how you take care of your health.”
Nong-O: ‘I Think I Should Get A Title Shot’
Now firmly back in the win column, former bantamweight Muay Thai king Nong-O Hama is hungry to once again wear 26 pounds of gold around his waist.
And given his status as one of the greatest World Champions in the history of Muay Thai, the veteran believes he deserves an opportunity to fight for the belt.
“I was the champion for seven defenses, so yeah, I think I should get a title shot.”
While some might expect the Thai to seek revenge against the man who took his belt, he simply wants the World Champion – whoever that may be.
Jonathan Haggerty is set to defend his World Title against ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 on September 6 at ONE 168: Denver. And no matter who holds the gold, that’s who Nong-O wants next:
“I’m not focusing on the person, but I’m just focusing on the belt. So whoever is the champ at the moment, I would like to fight them.”
