Wazzup Pilipinas!
Revered by many for the incredible speed, power and precision behind all his strikes, celebrated Thai kickboxer Nong-O Gaiyanghadao will venture into new territory to reignite his illustrious career.
Once considered as one of the best pound-for-pound competitors in the world of Muay Thai, Gaiyanghadao will make his debut under the ONE Championship banner on 20 April as part of the much-awaited ONE Super Series.
ONE Super Series is a celebration of the world’s most effective striking arts and invites the very best martial artists from Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, wushu, sanda, and more to showcase their skills on the ONE Championship stage.
Gaiyanghadao is scheduled to duke it out with French-Italian dynamo Fabio Pinca on the undercard of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, which takes place at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
The 31-year-old native of Sakon Nakhon, Thailand believes that by joining the promotion’s ONE Super Series, it opens a new chapter in his professional kickboxing stint.
“It’s a new beginning for me. You can say that it’s a breath of fresh air for my career as an athlete. I am excited to be in this new journey. I hope everything will turn our great for me as part of the growing ONE Championship roster,” he said.
Gaiyanghadao was last seen in action when he yielded to Chamuaktong Sor Yupinda by decision at Bangkok’s famous Rajadamnern Stadium in April 2015.
Despite sitting on the sidelines for three years, Gaiyanghadao stressed that his best days as a professional kickboxer are not yet over.
“I’m just 31 years old. I still have the drive to compete. What I have here is a good opportunity to start fresh and remind everyone what I am capable of,” he stated.
Gaiyanghadao, who represents Singapore’s Evolve MMA, has reached the apex of Muay Thai, becoming a five-division world champion in the sport.
In his trophy room, Gaiyanghadao has a long list of accolades, including the coveted Lumpinee Muay Thai world championship, the prestigious Rajadamnern Muay Thai title, and the “Fighter of the Year” citation.
“It has been three years since the last time that I fought. I am looking forward to put on a great performance. I have been training hard and going through strategies. I hope to give my 110 percent in Manila. I am coming to win,” Gaiyanghadao guaranteed.
The man standing in Gaiyanghadao’s re-entry to the winner’s column is Pinca, a highly-decorated kickboxer known for his technical and precise offensive style.
Hailing from Saint-Fons, France, Pinca has become one of Europe’s most well-respected Muay Thai practitioners as he is a two-time WBC World Muay Thai champion and even owns a Rajadamnern Stadium world title.
The 33-year-old Frenchman is bringing his talents to ONE Championship, where he will look to defeat a living legend in Gaiyanghadao .
“To tell you honestly, I am in a very tough fight. It’s nerve-wracking in a sense, but I am ready to accept the challenge,” Gaiyanghadao said about the marquee match-up against Pinca.
Although he already had career-defining moments in 310 professional bouts, Gaiyanghadao treats his maiden ONE Championship appearance as the most significant one because it could catapult him back to the kickboxing limelight.
“I am looking for a statement win this time around. This bout could bring me back to the top. I want a big win. Knocking him out will be an accomplishment because he is a good fighter and a tough opponent. You will all see,” he ended.
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Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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