"I'm getting old" - Battle-tested Nong-O Hama on coming to terms with twilight of his career

Muay Thai legend and former multi-time ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nong-O Hama admits his best days are behind him, despite being confident he can still make one more solid run at the gold.

The 37-year-old veteran has lost two of his last three in epic fashion, and if it weren't for a victory over young star Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai earlier this month, Nong-O may have already called it quits.

In a recent interview with Sportsmanor, Nong-O Hama said he understands where he's at in his career, and is trying his best to act his age and his experience.

The Bangkok native said:

"The reason that I'm grounded is because I'm getting old. I'm not a teenager anymore. When I win, I don't go for a big celebration anymore."

Nong-O Hama is the most dominant bantamweight Muay Thai world champion in history.

The Thai star won the inaugural gold with a five-round unanimous decision over Han Zi Hao in February of 2019. He then went on to defend the belt seven straight times over four years until running into the United Kingdom's Jonathan Haggerty in the middle of last year.

Regardless of recent setbacks, the 37-year-old believes he still has it in him to challenge the elite of the elite and wants to continue to get the chance to prove himself among the world's best martial artists.

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Nong-O Hama believes taking it back to his basics led to victory over Kulabdam: "I decided to stick to my original style"

All fighters evolve and innovate over time, but legendary Nong-O Hama believes his recent success is due to him reverting back to his old style.

He told Sportsmanor:

"What you saw is my original style, me at my best. Also, my game plan as well. You can see the confidence is coming back because I decided to stick to my original style."

Nong-O defeated rising young Thai star 'Left Meteorite' Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai at ONE Friday Fights 58 last April 5th, winning by unanimous decision.