Former longtime ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama may not have achieved the results he wanted in his past two promotional appearances, but he is determined to reclaim the gold he once firmly held.

On Friday, April 5, the Thai star is set to battle Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Friday Fights 58: Superbon vs. Grigorian inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Muay Thai Legend weighs in on his recent losses

After winning 10 straight matches in ONE Championship, including winning the divisional crown and defending it a staggering seven times, Nong-O lost his belt via a shocking knockout against former flyweight Muay Thai king Jonathan Haggerty at ONE Fight Night 9 in April last year.

Eager to get back in the win column, he returned at ONE Friday Fights 46 last December with hopes of ending the rise of streaking phenom Nico Carillo. But, unfortunately, he succumbed to another finish at the hands of the Scot.

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Speaking to ONE, Nong-O is adamant that his latest defeats haven’t diminished his spirit. “In my opinion, my setbacks are something that can happen to any athlete. But my heart is still fighting. My body is still able to do it. Let me say it again: This fight is not going to be my last fight,” he said.

Losing in such devastating fashion in back-to-back outings may serve to break a fighter, but Nong-O is different. While he acknowledges that it did affect him, he says he is choosing not to focus on the negativity to push forward.

“I accept that I cannot avoid having a negative attitude. Anyone feels bad when they lose, but I try not to dwell on negative feelings too much,” the former bantamweight Muay Thai king said.

He’ll have a tough opponent yet again when he faces off with Kulabdam. The Thai powerhouse is riding a three-fight winning streak in ONE, and he’ll be motivated to pick up a huge scalp at ONE Friday Fights 58.

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Nong-O addresses retirement rumors

For Nong-O, though, it will be another step in his quest to return to the top of the mountain and a chance to prove to the world that he has plenty left in the tank.

“I was a champion before, and I lost my belt. I will say that I thought about coming back to take my belt back as soon as I lost to Jonathan Haggerty. Now, I’m trying to earn a title shot, and I believe that I’ll come back greater than ever,” he said.

“My goal before retiring is to become the World Champion again.”

Will Nong-O become the champion once again before retiring from the sport of Muay Thai? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Former ONE Muay Thai Bantamweight King, Nong-O Set to Return to Action Against Kulabdam at ONE Friday Fights 58