Sam-A Gaiyanghadao refuses to act his age. At 42, the former two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion is riding a two-fight winning streak and setting his sights on one final championship run. His next step comes at ONE Fight Night 42 on Prime Video on April 10, where he faces Moroccan knockout artist Elmehdi “The Sniper” El Jamari in strawweight Muay Thai, live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The path back has not been straight. A tough decision loss to Jonathan Di Bella in an interim title bout last year could have been the end. Instead, Sam-A responded with back-to-back wins, the most impressive coming at ONE Friday Fights 137 in December when he dropped and outpointed Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi across three rounds. He was patient in round one, waited for his opening in round two, and executed perfectly when it came.

“I had a long-term game plan, didn’t actually go in there looking for a knockdown, but it just happened in the moment. I spent the first round just feeling him out because I knew he had dangerous hands,” Sam-A said.

“By round two, I knew he’d press forward, so I waited for him to slip up. The knockdown came right as he was winding up for a hook. I pulled back, saw an opening, and just pierced him with that left hand.”

Those wins have done more than pad his record. They have rebuilt his belief that the best of him still exists at 42.

“That win really boosted my morale. It changed the minds of people who thought I was too old. It proved to me that age doesn’t matter as long as you’re prepared.

“Now that I’m on a two-fight winning streak, I’m feeling great about my body and my ability to hang with these younger guys.”

Sam-A Gaiyanghadao prepares to expose El Jamari’s inexperience at ONE Fight Night 42

Sam-A Gaiyanghadao has spent this camp at Evolve MMA’s new Bangkok facility, balancing teaching and training in a daily rhythm that keeps him sharp on both ends. He has studied El Jamari carefully. The Moroccan made a violent impression in his ONE debut with a crushing left hook knockout, and followed it with a competitive decision loss that showed his rapid evolution.

Sam-A sees the danger clearly. He also sees the experience gap even more clearly — and plans to exploit it with every tool the sport allows.

“For this camp, I’m training at Evolve MMA’s new branch here in Thailand. It’s super convenient and feels like home since I worked with them before. I’m balancing teaching and training. It keeps me sharp because I’m constantly thinking about techniques to show my students, then applying them to my own game,” Sam-A Gaiyanghadao said.

“Elmehdi is dangerous. He’s got heavy hands and a scary hook. I watched his fights, and he’s definitely getting more comfortable. But my edge is experience. I’ve seen it all. He’s got the power, but I’ve dealt with Jaosuayai’s power already, so I’m confident I can handle him. I plan to use every tool in Muay Thai to show him the beauty of the art.”

A dominant finish on April 10 would push Sam-A directly back into title contention — whether in Muay Thai or kickboxing. He is not here to compete. He is here to win gold one more time.

“My goal is clear. I want that belt back, whether it’s Muay Thai or kickboxing. Winning three in a row would put me right back in title contention.

“Age is just a number, and I’m going to go out there and prove it once again.”