Malaysian Prime Minister Backs Aliff Ahead Of World Title Fight At The Inner Circle 23
The main event of The Inner Circle 23 has captured the attention of fans around the globe, including the Malaysian Prime Minister.
This Friday, July 24, Thai legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao will face Malaysian striker Aliff Sor Dechapan for the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title.
The event will stream exclusively via live.onefc.com from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Whoever emerges victorious from this match will book a future unification bout against reigning ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Prajanchai PongSuphan PK. And Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is hoping it’s Aliff.
Sam-A Reveals His Fighting Style Has Transformed in His Forties
Everyone, including the Malaysian Prime Minister, knows the version of Sam-A that steps into the ring on July 24 is not the same fighter who competed in his twenties or thirties.
The 42-year-old has undergone a shift in approach that makes him a different and, in many ways, more dangerous proposition than the technical master fighters have faced throughout his career.
"I think my fighting style has changed in my forties. I have become more aggressive and stronger. It feels as though I am no longer afraid of my opponent's strikes. If I get hit, I get hit. If we have to trade, then we trade. That is simply how I fight now," Sam-A stated.
A fighter with a 378-50 striking record and more than 30 years of professional competition who no longer carries the instinct to avoid being hit is a dangerous animal at any age.
Malaysian Prime Minister Shows His Support For Aliff
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly urged the country's fans to rally behind Aliff, describing him as the first Malaysian to qualify for a shot at the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship and calling for national support ahead of July 24.
“Let us rally behind Ahmad Nor Iman Aliff Rakib as he competes for the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship title this Friday. Aliff Rakib has made history as the first Malaysian combat athlete to qualify for a shot at this title,” the PM said.
The 23-year-old from Sor Dechapan Gym carries a nation's expectations into the squared circle, alongside a 62-9 career record and five ONE Championship finishes.
Sam-A Believes He Has Already Proven Age Means Nothing
The central narrative surrounding Sam-A's recent career has been the question of whether a 42-year-old can genuinely compete at this level. For the Thai legend, that question has already been answered. The interim belt on July 24 is simply the next piece of confirmation.
"By now, I have proven that age does not affect my ability to fight. Fight after fight, I have shown everyone that I can still compete in ONE Championship, continue moving forward, and challenge for a World Title," he said.
Aliff has acknowledged that underestimating Sam-A's age has been the downfall of fighters before him and has promised to avoid that mistake. A 42-year-old living legend who no longer fears being hit, backed by 30 years of elite competition, has heard every youth-versus-experience narrative before. July 24 at Lumpinee Stadium is where Sam-A intends to make the same point one more time.
Watch The Inner Circle 23 exclusively on live.onefc.com beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT.
