Sam-A Gaiyanghadao Breaks Down Wang vs. Zikreev, Ogden vs. Lasiri Ahead Of ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV
There are four men competing in the main and co-main events of ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV, and two-sport ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao has faced and beaten three of them.
Before the action kicks off this Friday at the previously recorded show in Singapore, Sam-A revealed his thoughts on all three of those headlining fighters.
In the main event, #2-ranked strawweight kickboxer Wang “Golden Boy” Junguang will take on promotional newcomer Aslanbek Zikreev in a ONE Super Series kickboxing affair.
Sam-A and Wang clashed at ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS in December 2019 for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title. That night, the Thai used his impressive left kicks and slick counters to score the unanimous decision win over the Chinese standout.
Still, Sam-A is well-aware of Wang’s strengths and believes his experience will be too much for Zikreev to deal with.
“Wang is the stronger kickboxer, much more powerful and durable. He could take my punches, kicks – all my weapons – without fading. He walked at me and showed an incredibly strong heart,” Sam-A said.
“He also has heavy hands, which are dangerous. But he doesn’t have much variety of weapons – only punches. But he is also unpredictable.
“I don’t know much about Zikreev because he is new to ONE Championship, but I believe that Wang’s experience will help him pass this test.
“Every minute spent in the ring is important in fighting, and whoever has more experience usually has the advantage over the other.”
Sam-A is also familiar with both men in the evening’s co-main event, which features a clash between #2-ranked strawweight Muay Thai contender Rocky Ogden and WBC Muay Thai World Champion Joseph “The Hurricane” Lasiri.
Sam-A starched Lasiri with a second-round KO at ONE: GLOBAL SUPERHEROES in 2018. Then in February of this year, he beat Ogden by unanimous decision at ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title.
“Joseph has a strong body and heart. He likes to walk and knee and has unpredictable weapons. Rocky, he is well-rounded in Muay Thai but has less experience,” Sam-A said.
“I think this one is going to be fire. Joseph will walk forward and take what Rocky delivers, while Rocky will wait and counter with beautiful weapons.
“It’s hard to predict who will win the fight. This one depends on who prepared better and has more power.”
Find out if Sam-A’s predictions will be accurate when the previously recorded ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV airs this Friday, 20 November, on the ONE Super App and on meWATCH at 8:30 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT).
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