Danial Williams says the return of Sam-A Gaiyanghadao makes it ‘more exciting for the division’

Danial Williams was excited to see Muay Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao back in action at ONE Friday Fights 9.

Sam-A made his triumphant return after nearly two years away from the promotion and immediately reminded fans around the world of why he is one of the most celebrated athletes in the art of eight limbs. Stepping into the ring against former WBC Muay Thai world champion Ryan Sheehan, Sam-A delivered a picture-perfect performance, scoring a second-round knockout last week.

Ahead of his own return to the Circle this Friday night at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video, Danial Williams shared his excitement over the return of Sam-A in an interview with ONE Championship, saying:

“It was cool to see Sam-A. He is back as well, fighting Ryan Sheehan. It's cool just having big names back too. It just makes it a little bit more exciting for the division.”

Williams will make his kickboxing debut under the ONE Championship banner on Friday night as he steps into the main event spotlight in place of Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

Originally scheduled to square off with ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9, ‘The Iron Man’ sustained an injury in training, forcing him to withdraw. ‘Mini T’ now slides into the ONE Fight Night 8 headliner with eyes on capturing his first ONE world title.

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Danial Williams’ journey to three-sport supremacy begins at ONE Fight Night 8

Danial Williams aspires to become ONE Championship’s three-sport world champion, capturing titles in MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. On Friday, he’ll have a chance to check off one of those boxes as he steps into Rodtang’s place in a highly anticipated main event showdown with ‘The Kicking Machine’ Superlek Kiatmoo9.

The ONE flyweight kickboxing world title will be on the line. Should he succeed in his short-notice endeavor, ‘Mini-T’ will be on his way to establishing himself as a true ONE Championship legend and inspiring the next generation of combat sports superstars.

"That’s my goal. Three sports, inspire the next generation,” Williams revealed. “They can be four-sport world champions now. I’m training kids that are really good at jiu-jitsu, really good at Muay Thai, already starting MMA at nine and seven years old."

Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America can catch Danial Williams vs. Superlek Kiatmoo9 live and for free in U.S. primetime this Friday night.