“I’m Not Focusing on the Person” – Nong-O Wants an Opportunity to Reclaim Lost Gold No Matter Who Holds It

Nong-O Hama is ready to get back on top of his division after getting out of his recent slump in a big way. At ONE Friday Fights 58 earlier this month, the Thai star snapped surging compatriot Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai’s three-fight win streak with a masterful unanimous decision victory at their bantamweight Muay Thai clash inside the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The win comes at a crucial time for Nong-O, who suffered back-to-back knockout losses after practically dominating the division in his first 10 fights.

Nong-O Hama’s quest for redemption

At ONE Fight Night 9 in April last year, he lost the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title to former flyweight king Jonathan “The General” Haggerty in a shocking first-round knockout loss. Eight months later at ONE Friday Fights 46, he started out strong against Nico “King of the North” Carillo only to fall in the second round.

It appeared that Father Time had caught up with him, and he was determined to prove critics wrong by facing another dangerous fighter in Kulabdam. “Left Meteorite” had a first-hand experience of how terrifying a fully motivated Nong-O can be. While he valiantly poured his heart out in the match, he still ended up on the wrong end of the scorecards.

After proving that he still has plenty left in the tank, Nong-O believes that he deserves a shot at the gold he once held firmly. “I was the champion for seven defenses, so yeah, I think I should get a title shot,” he told ONE in a recent interview.

Nong-O’s Quest for gold continues

Indeed, Nong-O’s body of work speaks for itself and should be deserving of a crack at gold especially with a quality win in his last outing.

However, it was announced earlier this month that Haggerty will be defending the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title against reigning flyweight king Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 168: Denver set on U.S. primetime of Friday, September 6.” “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.” said Nong-O

Nong-O may want to get revenge on Haggerty, but there is a very real possibility that “The General” may not be the World Champion after September. At 37 years old though, the Evolve MMA representative is choosing his battles, and if it means facing a different champion instead of redeeming himself against Haggerty, then he says he will take the opportunity.