‘My Ultimate Goal’ – Nong-O Eyes ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title After Settling Kongthoranee Trilogy

The rivalry between Nong-O Hama and Kongthoranee Sor Sommai needed one man to step up and close the book. At The Inner Circle 20, the legend did just that – and in doing so, reminded everyone why his story is far from over.

Nong-O settled their series via unanimous decision in the co-main event of the Asia primetime card inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium, which was broadcast exclusively to subscribers at live.onefc.com on Friday, June 26.

It was a result that brought a compelling flyweight Muay Thai rivalry to a close. Kongthoranee had won the opener before Nong-O leveled the series months later at ONE Fight Night 31. 
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The third fight, with reputations on the line, belonged to the former eight-time ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, who now boasts an astonishing 268-59 resume.

Settling the series, though, was never going to be enough for the Evolve MMA and Superbon Training Camp athlete. It was a reminder that the fire burns as brightly as ever. 

“I’m really happy to get the win over Kongthoranee again. My main goal was to put on an exciting fight for the fans.

“Even if I had lost, I would have just gone back to the drawing board and trained even harder. Win or lose, it’s just a sport, and I’m lucky to have a great support system around me.”

“I’m really happy to get the win over Kongthoranee again. My main goal was to put on an exciting fight for the fans.

“Even if I had lost, I would have just gone back to the drawing board and trained even harder. Win or lose, it’s just a sport, and I’m lucky to have a great support system around me.”
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The fight was every bit the war the rivalry demanded. The 39-year-old drew first blood, dropping the three-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion for an eight-count in round one.

Kongthoranee pulled one back with a left hand that sent the veteran down in round three. With one knockdown apiece and everything still to play for, the closing minutes produced the kind of all-out exchange that only two fighters who know each other this well can produce. 

When the final bell rang, all three judges were in agreement. Nong-O got his hand raised, but the Bangkok-based warrior was the first to admit it was not a comfortable night:

“After the final bell, I was confident I won. I was the one pushing the pace, pressing forward, and landing the cleaner shots throughout the fight.

“But Kongthoranee clearly came prepared and got his [knockdown] back in round three. At that moment, it felt like my lights went out for a split second. But I got back up, kept my composure, and controlled my body.”

“After the final bell, I was confident I won. I was the one pushing the pace, pressing forward, and landing the cleaner shots throughout the fight.

“But Kongthoranee clearly came prepared and got his [knockdown] back in round three. At that moment, it felt like my lights went out for a split second. But I got back up, kept my composure, and controlled my body.”
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The series is done, but Nong-O is not. Winning the rubber match was the night’s first order of business. What comes next has been on his mind long before the final bell. 

The once-vacant divisional gold has a new home, and the striking icon intends to come knocking for it. 

“My ultimate goal is the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. Of course, it’s up to the promotion to decide when I get that shot.

“But I’m ready to give it my all in every single fight. No matter how hard the road is, I’m going to push myself even further to make it happen.”

“My ultimate goal is the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. Of course, it’s up to the promotion to decide when I get that shot.

“But I’m ready to give it my all in every single fight. No matter how hard the road is, I’m going to push myself even further to make it happen.”
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Shortly after Nong-O Hama closed out his trilogy, Asadula “The Dagestan Ninja” Imangazaliev claimed the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle 20.

The undefeated Russian slugger emerged victorious over previously unbeaten Aslamjon “El Pantera” Ortikov in a high-octane five-round instant classic.

For the 39-year-old, who has already shared the ring with Imangazaliev and felt the full force of his power firsthand, watching him claim 26 pounds of gold was an invitation. 

“It was an incredibly close fight. Both of them are insanely fast and have a wide arsenal of weapons. It’s definitely a tough challenge. But that’s not going to stop me from chasing my dream of getting back to the top.”

“It was an incredibly close fight. Both of them are insanely fast and have a wide arsenal of weapons. It’s definitely a tough challenge. But that’s not going to stop me from chasing my dream of getting back to the top.”
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Imangazaliev had previously stopped Nong-O – a result that sharpened the legend’s edge rather than blunting it. 

With the Russian now wearing the divisional crown, the appetite for a rematch is real, and the 39-year-old knows exactly what a second meeting would demand from him. 

“I believe our paths will cross again. Even though he got the better of me in our first fight, I’m ready to adjust my game plan, sit down with my team, and bring a smarter approach.”

“I believe our paths will cross again. Even though he got the better of me in our first fight, I’m ready to adjust my game plan, sit down with my team, and bring a smarter approach.”
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The Imangazaliev rematch is certainly a compelling storyline. That said, Ortikov’s name is impossible to ignore. “El Pantera” suffered his first career defeat, and a Nong-O matchup makes just as much sense. Two fighters who share different motivations but the same destination.

However, whatever path ONE charts for him next, the answer from his corner will be the same one it has always been.

The former ONE World Champion offered:

“I’ve never picked my opponents. I’ll fight absolutely anyone they put in front of me. I’m ready to test myself against the best. I just want to prove that ‘The Unkillable King’ is still very much alive.”

“I’ve never picked my opponents. I’ll fight absolutely anyone they put in front of me. I’m ready to test myself against the best. I just want to prove that ‘The Unkillable King’ is still very much alive.”
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