Nong-O Hama is looking to get back in the winner’s circle as he is the latest exciting addition to ONE Championship’s first event in the Middle East.
The Thai legend is set to make his return at ONE 166: Qatar scheduled on March 1 inside the Lusail Sports Arena, where he will take on Vladimir Kuzmin in a bantamweight Muay Thai battle.
Nong-O Hama’s credentials leading up to their fights
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With 265 wins under his belt including an almost invincible run of 10 straight wins in the world’s largest martial arts organization, Nong-O has proven that he is a living legend among his peers. The last five wins of the 37-year-old came via knockout, which had everyone thinking that he is only getting stronger with each match.
Unfortunately, his streak came to a screeching end when former flyweight Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty took the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship from him in shocking fashion – a first-round knockout at ONE Fight Night 9 back in April 2023. The win certainly vaulted “The General” into legendary status, but Nong-O’s past achievements cannot be overlooked.
When he returned to action to close the year out for ONE in December 2023 at ONE Friday Fights 46, he faced another tough fighter in Nico Carillo, who was competing for the first time in the main roster after winning a US$100,000 contract. In the second round, “King of the North” replicated Haggerty’s feat by taking down Nong-O with a decisive finish and claiming his spot as the #1 contender in the divisional rankings.
As he prepares for yet another important war, Nong-O will definitely want to show the world that he is not just someone who fighters can use as a stepping stone to take them to the next level.
Also Read: Chatri Sityodtong Says MMA Will Be “Back in Full Force” in 2024 After Monumental Year for Muay Thai
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The Thai Legend’s opponent at ONE 166
Opposite him will be a fully motivated Vladimir Kuzmin, who is 2-2 in ONE. The hard-hitting Russian has gone the distance every single time that he stepped into the ring. His two losses came at the hands of two of the best on the planet and could have gone either way – Haggerty and Muangthai PK Saenchai.
Both Fighters have lost to Jonathan Haggerty. Now, with both men having a chip on their shoulders, expect their match to be a firefight of epic proportions.
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Will Nong-O Hama be able to get back on the winning track at ONE 166? Or will he succumb to Vladimir Kuzmin’s pressure? Give us your take on how you believe the fight will play out in the comments section below.