“Your body recovers slower” - Thai striking legend Sam-A gets real on the struggle of fighting in your forties 

He may be 41, but Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao is still one of the most dangerous fighters on the ONE Championship roster.

Sam-A has established himself as one of Muay Thai's most beloved fighters with an incredible 375 career victories to his credit and multiple world title reigns, including two under the ONE banner.

Even into his forties, the former Lumpinee Stadium Fighter of the Year is a formidable foe — he proved that much in his last outing against 'Fighting Rooster' Zhang Peimian at ONE 169 in Bangkok.

But Sam-A would be lying if he didn't admit that getting older makes things a hell of a lot harder in the world of combat sports.

"Of course, as you get older your cardio gets worse, you get tired faster," he told ONE Championship. "In training your body recovers slower than when you were younger. The only thing you have less of than when you were younger is your fighting spirit."

If you missed any of the action, ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch the ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug replay on demand via Amazon Prime Video.

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Sam-A is excited to see the long-awaited rematch between Tawanchai and Superbon

While Sam-A has not yet booked his first fight of 2025, the Thai superstar has plenty of fights he's looking forward to watching as a fan — including the highly anticipated rematch between Tawanchai and Superbon.

Returning to Impact Arena in Thailand on Friday, January 24, ONE 170 will deliver another loaded lineup headlined by a ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title tilt. Tawanchai puts his 26 pounds of gold on the line against Superbon in a rematch of their critically acclaimed showdown at ONE Friday Fights 46 in December 2023.

"This is another match that I follow," Sam-A said of Tawanchai vs. Superbon. "I think it will be more exciting than the first fight. Because Superbon just won a Muay Thai match against Jo Nattawut, which gives him more confidence in Muay Thai. While Tawanchai is already a good all-around fighter."

Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon II will air live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, January 24 in U.S. primetime.