Nong-O teaches Mitch Chilson how to throw a straight punch

While Nong-O Gaiyanghadao makes his final preparations to headline ONE Championship’s first show in Lumpinee Stadium, ONE commentator Mitch Chilson stopped by to check out the technique that has brought the world champion to where he's today.

In an video posted on Chilson’s Instagram account, the Muay Thai world champion demonstrated to Chilson the two tips to throw a straight right with speed and power.

Here's the video:

Chilson captioned it:

“(Nong-O) tried to teach me to punch like him, and judging by the look on his face, he wasn’t impressed. Dont get it twisted. It’s harder than it looks”.

Chilson is a veteran MMA fighter himself, so he’s no stranger to the gym. However, few athletes have perfected with the utmost precision every strike that Gaiyanghadao has.

The speed and lightness that Gaiyanghadao throws punches makes it look simple and insultingly effortless. That’s the handiwork of a 36 year-old Muay Thai world champion with over 300 fights.

Gaiyanghadao will put all off his weapons to use in a few days when he re-enters the famed Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok to headline ONE Lumpinee 1 on January 20. He will be up against 28 year-old Russian Alaverdi Ramazonov, winner of four of six fights in ONE Championship and a former world champion.

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Jonathan Haggerty considers matchup with Nong-O “a dream come true”

If Nong-O Gaiyanghadao can get past Alaverdi Ramazanov, formidable challengers to his belt may seem few and far between.

However, one Muay Thai fighter eager to give him his toughest test is British bantamweight Jonathan Haggerty. In an interview with the South China Morning Post MMA, Haggerty gave his thoughts on a possible matchup with the world champion:

“I did say I would come out here and not call anyone out. But since I’m here now, I might as well. I feel like Nong-O (Gaiyanghadao). I’d love to fight Nong-O, it would be a dream come true. I feel like I’ve got the footwork. I’ve got the speed.”

Haggerty only recently entered Gaiyanghadao’s weight class after a good run at flyweight. However, his Thai opponent may have a size advantage against him. Haggerty is currently on a three-fight win streak in ONE Championship after back-to-back losses against the flyweight Muay Thai world champion, Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

A move to bantamweight to challenge Nong-O may be just what Haggerty is targeting. If Gaiyanghadao beats Ramazanov this month, he will have beaten all five of the fighters in the ONE Championship bantamweight Muay Thai rankings. Haggerty has successfully debuted in the division, so he could just be one big fight away from a world title shot.

With ONE Championship hosting a huge slate of shows in Lumpinee Stadium this year, it’s not out of the question to see the two booked against each other, as Haggerty is a fresh face to challenge for the belt.