“It’s time for the young soldiers” - Zhang Peimian vows to send Thai legend Sam-A to retirement after ONE 169

Zhang Peimian is ready to stage a youth revolution at ONE 169.

The Chinese standout will have one of the most important fights of his career when he takes on the iconic Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at the stacked ONE 169 card on Friday, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Sam-A is undoubtedly Zhang's most high-profile opponent, but the young phenom is adamant it's time for the current generation to take over the sport.

In an interview with ONE Championship, the 21-year-old Zhang acknowledged that Sam-A is one of the all-time greats with a resume worthy of envy from any striker.

Zhang Peimian, however, believes it's time for Sam-A to hang up the gloves for good.

He said:

"It’s time for the young soldiers to take over. He can retire now.”

Sam-A was already a mythical figure before he arrived at ONE Championship in 2018.

The 41-year-old was a multiple-time Lumpinee Stadium world champion and currently holds an absurd professional record of 374-49-9.

The Thai legend then became the inaugural ONE flyweight Muay Thai, strawweight kickboxing, and strawweight Muay Thai world champion from 2018 to 2020.

Nevertheless, Zhang is confident he can send Sam-A into retirement once they clash in Bangkok.

'The Fighting Rooster' is one of the brightest young stars on the planet and holds four wins in ONE Championship.

He also challenged for the ONE strawweight kickboxing world title but ultimately fell to Jonathan Di Bella at ONE 162 in October 2022.

Zhang's inter-generational matchup against Sam-A, and the entire ONE 169 card, are available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Zhang Peimian plans to use his youth against Thai icon Sam-A at ONE 169

Zhang Peimian, to say the least, is confident heading into his matchup against Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at ONE 169 in Bangkok.

The 21-year-old said in an interview with ONE Championship that he plans to use his youthful energy and agility when he takes on the 41-year-old Sam-A in their strawweight kickboxing showdown.

He said:

"He has rich experience in both kickboxing and Muay Thai, but I think I have more of an advantage in kickboxing. His straight cross and knee strikes are very well-known, but his weakness might be his physical ability because he is old."