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The first world title defense of Nong-O Hama happened in May 2019 at ONE: Warriors of Light, where he welcomed the challenge of Japanese contender Hiroaki Suzuki inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Nong-O not only turned back the challenge of Suzuki but also caused a horrible swelling in his body. ONE Championship posted the best moments of the Thai superstar during the match in a recent Instagram video.
They wrote the video's caption with:
"NASTY kicks 😱 Can Nong-O impose his will on Kiamran Nabati at ONE Friday Fights 81? @nongogaiyanghadao"
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The 37-year-old veteran spammed 'Kaibutsukan' with powerful roundhouse kicks that he landed multiple times on his left armpit area. Suzuki acknowledged the power that Nong-O had in his kicks, which is why he sacrificed this part of his body to block the shots that were intended for the head and avoid a knockout loss.
Although he survived the full five rounds of beating, Suzuki sustained significant damage on that armpit, making fans grimace in pain and still absorbing a lopsided unanimous decision defeat.
Nong-O thinks that pace will be important in his upcoming match with Kiamran Nabati at ONE Friday Fights 81
Five years after that incredible win, Nong-O remains one of the best strikers on the planet despite losing his 26-pound golden belt to Jonathan Haggerty in April 2023 at ONE Fight Night 9 with a first-round knockout loss.
Currently, he is on the tail-end of his preparation for his all-important clash with undefeated Russian contender Kiamran Nabati on Sept. 27 at ONE Friday Fights 81.
Before they exchange strikes in front of the Lumpinee Stadium crowd in Bangkok, Thailand, the Evolve MMA representative talked to ONE Championship for an interview, and he thinks that controlling the match's pace with Nabati will be a crucial factor to getting the victory.
The Thai icon said:
"In the early stages, the game will go to the one who can control the pace first and who will follow whose plan first."
ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live on pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.
