‘The Toughest Opponent Of My Career’ – Jaosuayai Ready To Face Sam-A In Strawweight Debut At ONE Friday Fights 137
Thai knockout artist Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi is ready to turn the page on a disappointing setback and begin a new chapter in his ONE Championship journey.
After competing primarily in the flyweight division, the 24-year-old will now make his strawweight Muay Thai debut against former two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao in the promotion’s final event of 2025, ONE Friday Fights 137: Tawanchai vs. Liu.
The event broadcasts live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, December 19, and Jaosuayai has a big chance to make an instant impact in his new weight class.
The move down to 125 pounds comes on the heels of Jaosuayai’s first loss in over a year, a setback that snapped his five-bout winning streak and prompted serious reflection about his future.
At ONE Fight Night 36 this past October, he faced Azerbaijani sensation Akif “King” Guluzada in a flyweight Muay Thai encounter that would prove to be a turning point in his career. The 20-year-old Guluzada secured a crucial knockdown in the first stanza with a thudding knee to the face that fundamentally changed the trajectory of the match.
Although Jaosuayai applied pressure over the final two rounds and even wobbled his opponent, the early knockdown proved insurmountable. The Azerbaijani dynamo stayed one step ahead throughout the contest and claimed a unanimous decision victory.
Speaking to onefc.com ahead of his strawweight debut, Jaosuayai offered a brutally honest assessment of what went wrong against Guluzada:
“Personally, I think the game plan and style for the last fight with Akif was a mess. Although we had a good plan, we messed up in the first round when Akif countered my head-lowering punch with a jumping knee, which led to me being counted.
“In that moment I was counted, I lost control. It was like my vision cut out, and I instantly blacked out. But with so many fans cheering for me, it gave me the determination to fight back and grit my teeth to get back up and continue the fight.”
The loss dropped Jaosuayai’s career record to 60-23. Also, it marked the Thai’s third defeat in 11 promotional appearances, bringing his ONE Championship slate to 8-3 with six electrifying knockouts.
For a fighter who had captured a life-changing six-figure contract by finishing Denis Puric in March 2025 and then demolishing compatriot Nakrob Fairtex in just 52 seconds this past June, the setback against Guluzada demanded serious introspection.
That reflection led Jaosuayai and his team to a crucial decision that would reshape his immediate future in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
The Sor Dechapan product explained:
“After the last fight, my weight only went up by four or five pounds. So, I decided to consult with my coach about dropping down to try the 125-pound division, a weight class I haven’t competed at for about four-to-five years.”
The move down to strawweight isn’t a retreat from competition but rather a strategic decision based on refined training protocols and natural physical changes.
Throughout his entire career, Jaosuayai has competed across multiple weight classes and believes the drop to 125 pounds will actually enhance his performance.
The Thai continued:
“This decision is not about running away from the 135-pound division, as some have criticized. It’s because my improved training plan has made my body condition better, and my weight has been dropping automatically.
“I feel more energetic, elusive, and faster now, which should lead to more evenly matched and exciting opponents than at 135 pounds. However, I want to emphasize that I am happy to fight at both 125 pounds and 135 pounds.”
Jaosuayai Honored To Face Muay Thai Legend Sam-A
Debuting in a new weight class is challenging enough, but Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi will do so against one of the greatest fighters in Muay Thai history.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao represents the pinnacle of striking excellence. Not only is he a highly decorated competitor and living legend, but he owns an astonishing 376 career victories.
The Evolve MMA stalwart has captured ONE World Titles across two sports, winning the inaugural ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship in 2018, the inaugural ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title in 2019, and the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship in February 2020.
Coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Myanmar sensation Thway Lin Htet at ONE Friday Fights 126 in September, the all-time Muay Thai great has shown no signs of slowing down despite being 42 years old.
For Jaosuayai, who has built his reputation on flying knees, devastating kicks, and spectacular spinning elbows, the opportunity to face Sam-A represents both the ultimate test and the ultimate honor.
Jaosuayai said:
“For my 125-pound debut, I was extremely surprised when ONE confirmed my opponent would be the legendary Sam-A. It never crossed my mind that I would get the chance to fight a legend whom I have been a fan of since I first started training.
“I see Sam-A as a true Muay Thai legend with no flaws, whether it’s his strategy, striking, heavy left kick, or toughness. I consider this the toughest opponent of my career.”
Despite facing a fighter with over three decades of experience, Jaosuayai believes the unpredictability of competing in 4-ounce gloves creates opportunities that wouldn’t exist under traditional Muay Thai rules.
For Jaosuayai, a victory over Sam-A would represent more than just a successful debut in a new weight class. It would establish him as a legitimate contender in the strawweight Muay Thai division and validate his decision to drop down from flyweight.
The Thai knockout artist said:
“I believe that under the small gloves of ONE, the outcome is 50-50, depending on whose timing is better and who lands more accurately.
“If I can manage to beat Sam-A, it would be a significant historical moment and a huge source of pride in my life. After this fight, if I win, I’m ready to take on everyone in this division.”
