No challenge is too difficult for Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.

Early in his ONE Championship career, the Singapore-based Thai competed at a size disadvantage.

Despite this, he won the organization’s first Muay Thai match and the inaugural ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title.

On Sunday, 13 October, when Sam-A returns to the ring at ONE: CENTURY PART I to face talented Frenchman Daren Rolland, he will do so at strawweight.

The Evolve MMA representative welcomes the opportunity to go back to his preferred weight class.

“I’m really excited to be competing in the newly established strawweight division,” Sam-A said. “This is more my natural weight class. In this weight class, I think I can face anyone.”

The 35-year-old is one of the most accomplished practitioners in “the art of eight limbs.” His resilience and skill have allowed him to capture multiple World Titles and rack up more than 360 professional wins.

In May 2019 – after shaking off more than a year of inactivity – the former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion took on Jonathan “The General” Haggerty at ONE: FOR HONOR.

Even though the Buriram native put on one of the most entertaining performances to date, the weight disparity showed as Sam-A struggled with the size of “The General.”

He is confident that with a level-playing field, fans in Japan can expect to see him at his best.

“When it comes to my fitness, there will be no problems. Since my last match, I have been practicing constantly and staying as sharp as possible,” he said.

Daren Rolland will be a tough test for the Muay Thai veteran. The 21-year-old Parisian is a WBC Muay Thai World Champion and intends to make a statement against the Thai legend.

Sam-A is aware of his rival’s credentials, but he knows he can lean on his experience to counter the Team El Quandili product’s dangerous clinch game.

“His knees and the way he uses them are really good. I’m going to have to train to make sure I am able to properly defend his knees,” he explained. “I think my experience will win me this fight. Like every fight, I will not be careless or overestimate myself.”

This will be the second time the Singaporean-based Muay Thai specialist competes in Tokyo, Japan, and he is eager to be a part of the biggest martial arts event in history.

“I’ve fought in Tokyo before and am really excited to get to go back,” Sam-A said. “I am really grateful for the opportunity to compete again, especially on such an important card. Thank you so much to ONE Championship for this amazing opportunity!”

Catch all the action and more at ONE: CENTURY, the biggest World Championship martial arts event in history.

The Home Of Martial Arts breaks new ground as it features 28 World Champions, four World Title bouts, three World Grand Prix Championship Finals, and four World Champion versus World Champion matches.

The action happens at the famous Ryogoku Kokugikan on 13 October in Tokyo, Japan.

ONE: CENTURY PART I begins on Toggle at 8:00am Singapore Standard Time (SGT) on Sunday, 13 October. Once the prelims are over, Toggle airs the main card at 11:00am SGT.

Also, the show will air later in the evening via special delay on CH 5 at 11:00pm SGT.

ONE: CENTURY PART II starts on Toggle at 4:00pm Singapore Standard Time (SGT). Once the prelims are over, Toggle airs the main card at 6:30pm SGT.

Also, the show will air Thursday, 17 October via special delay on CH 5 at 11:00pm SGT.

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