Nong-O Gaiyanghadao: Biography of the Genius Muay Femur
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao is a generational talent and one of the greatest Muay Femur fighters in history. With over 300 fights and a career spanning 30 years, he has continuously showcased his genius Muay Thai I.Q. by becoming a Rajadamnern champion and a four-weight Lumpinee champion.
Known for his textbook technique and strategic mastery, Nong-O has no discernible weaknesses as a nak muay, and has been competing for the top prizes in the sport since 2005.
| Birth Name: | Apichet Kotanon |
| Thai Name: | น้องโอ๋ ไก่ย่างห้าดาว |
| Date of Birth: | November 10, 1986 |
| Place of Birth: | Sakon Nakhon, Thailand |
| Other names: | Nong-O Sit. Or, Nong-O Gaiyanghadaogym, Nong-O Hama |
| Height: | 171 cm (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in) |
| Weight: | 65.8 kg (145 lb; 10 st 5 lb) |
| Reach: | 67.7 in (172 cm) |
| Divisions: | Bantamweight (145 lbs) (ONE), Lightweight |
| Style: | Muay Femur |
| Fighting out of: | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Team: | Sit. Or Gym (–2011), Petchyindee Academy (2011–2015), Evolve MMA (2015–2022), Hama MuayThai (2022–present), Superbon Training Camp (2023–present) |
| Years active: | 1996–present |
Isaan Roots
Nong-O was born in 1986 in Sakon Nakhon Province in the Isaan region of Thailand. He grew up in a small village with his two older sisters and their parents, who were orchard farmers. The family was happy but struggled to make ends meet. His parents later moved to Bangkok to work in construction to provide for their children, leaving Nong-O and his sisters with their grandmother, only seeing them once a year.
Despite the challenges, Nong-O found independence early and sought a way to improve his family’s financial situation.
Initially disinterested in Muay Thai, he soon realised its potential to earn money. At age 9, he was inspired by a neighbour and began training and fighting, giving his 100 baht winnings to his grandmother. His parents eventually supported his decision after seeing his potential and dedication to the sport.
The Sit Or Gym, where Nong-O trained, was created by Mr. Somluck Bayen and was one of the most respected gyms in Thailand. It was originally located in Pattaya but moved to the Lumpinee district in Bangkok in around 2008 to be closer to the famous Lumpinee Stadium.
The gym is known for producing numerous champions, including prominent fighters such as Tappaya Sit Or, Yokthai Sit Or, and Rambaa Somdet.
The gym has a rich history of excellence in Muay Thai, with fighters consistently competing and winning in the major Thai stadiums. Although the conditions at the gym may seem poor due to its dilapidated facilities, this bare-bones environment actually provides a significant advantage for any nak muay. The lack of distractions and the challenging circumstances motivate fighters to improve their personal situations and the lives of their families. This setting fosters close-knit relationships among the fighters, who work together as a team to escape poverty and become the very best they can possibly be.
By age 14, Nong-O won his first big fight at Rajadamnern Stadium, laying the foundation for his future successes and setting the stage for an long and fruitful career in Muay Thai.
The Making of a Champion
In 2005, Nong-O had a breakthrough year, going undefeated with eight wins out of nine bouts and just one draw against Fameechai F.A. Group. In December, he faced Fameechai in a rematch for the Thailand Bantamweight Title (118 lbs), defeating him via points decision. This victory marked Nong-O’s first major title at the age of 19.
His performances that year earned him several accolades, including the 2005 Lumpinee Stadium Fighter of the Year, the 2005 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year, and the 2005 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year. Additionally, the young Thai phenom ventured into western boxing, winning the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand Thailand Bantamweight Championship.
In April 2006, Nong-O clinched the Lumpinee Junior Featherweight title (122 lbs) from Denkiree 13Lianresort. However, it was a rocky year for him as he won less than half of his stadium fights, including suffering two TKO defeats to Chalermdeth Infinity and Wuttidet Lukprabat. Additionally, he lost his newly acquired Lumpinee Junior Featherweight Title to Pokaew Fonjangchonburi via decision in October.
In October 2007, Nong-O secured a major win against “The Iron Hands of Siam” Anuwat Kaewsamrit, earning him a shot at the Sagetdao’s Lumpinee Featherweight Title in December. Nicknamed “Deadly Star,” Sagetdao was a strong and durable Muay Khao who won the belt by defeating the reigning champion Chalermdeth Infinity in September. Nong-O out-scored Sagetdao over five rounds, securing his second Lumpinee belt at the age of 21.
Throughout 2008 and 2009, Nong-O defeated a host of top names such as Orono Wor Petchpun, Petchboonchu F.A. Group, Jomthong Chuwattana and Lerdsila Chumpairtour.
In September 2009, Nong-O afforded himself the opportunity to fight Petchboonchu F.A. Group once again – but this time for the Lumpinee Stadium Super Featherweight (130 lbs) title, which he lost by decision to the highly decorated Muay Khao Master. However, the pair met again three months later, with Nong-O taking the belt from Petchboonchu at the Lumpinee Birthday Show.
Nong-O won eight fights out of twelve in 2009. Two of his losses came against Saenchai, one of which was a TKO in the 3rd round due to punches. This brought his record against Saenchai to three fights and three losses, with the first loss occurring in August 2006 by decision.
Similarly, 2010 was another good year for Nong-O, winning eight out of eleven fights and successfully defending the Lumpinee Super Featherweight Title three times against legends Petchboonchu F.A. Group, Singdam Kiatmoo9, and Pakorn Sakyothin. In addition, he won two prestigious awards: the Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year and the Lumpinee Stadium Fighter of the Year.
However, once again, Saenchai was the thorn in Nong-O’s side, defeating him twice that year. The second loss came when Nong-O was challenging for Saenchai’s Lumpinee and WMC lightweight titles, bringing the pair’s tally to 0-5.
Fighting Saenchai must have been like an NBA player trying to outshine Michael Jordan in the 1990s. Nong-O simply had the misfortune of fighting in the same era as the pound-for-pound greatest Muay Thai fighter of that time.
The Final Chapter…
The year 2011 was a poor one for Nong-O, as he won only five fights out of eleven while fighting on various shows in Thailand. However, he ended a six-fight losing streak that stretched from December 2010 to July 2011 by defeating Mongkolchai Kwaitonggym in the first round of the 130 lbs Toyota Vigo Marathon Tournament. He then went on to defeat Panphet Chor Na Pattalung in the semi-final and Traijak Sitjomtrai in the final to win the prestigous tournament held at the Channel 7 Stadium in Bangkok.
After struggling through a difficult 2011, Nong-O made a huge comeback over the next few years, demonstrating his psychological resilience and fighter’s spirit even as he aged.
He won the Thailand lightweight belt from Petchboonchu FA Group, the Lumpinee and Rajadamnern lightweight belts from Singdam Kiatmoo9, and he defeated Petchboonchu once again to capture the 2014 Toyota Marathon for a second time. These accolades were quite a display of perseverance and longevity, considering Nong-O was in the twilight of his career at the age of 29.
Nong-O’s rivalry with Petchboonchu culminated in the 2014 Toyota Marathon final, with Nong-O securing a 6-2 record against an elite fighter who captured Lumpinee titles in four different weight classes, among many other titles and awards.
Nong-O only fought twice more before calling it a day and hanging up his gloves for good. He then accepted a coaching role at Evolve MMA, where he coached foreign Thai boxers alongside other legendary Thai fighters.
ONE Championship Revival
After a three-year hiatus, Nong-O returned to competition in 2018 with ONE Championship’s new striking format: the ONE Super Series. He debuted in April at ONE Championship: Heroes of Honor, defeating Fabio Pinca via unanimous decision.
Nong-O’s decision to return to combat sports was driven by his enduring passion for competition and the opportunity to compete on the international stage. In addition, the ONE Championship schedule typically allows fighters more time between bouts, which can be less physically taxing and offer a longer career span compared to the frantic Thai scene.
At ONE Championship: Clash of Legends in February 2019, Nong-O became the inaugural ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion by defeating Han Zihao via unanimous decision.
Later that year, he fought in his homeland at ONE Championship: Kingdom of Heroes, winning against Mehdi Zatout by unanimous decision. He then defended his title against Hiroaki Suzuki in May 2019, and Brice Delval a few months later.
Following this, Nong-O embarked on an impressive run of five consecutive knockout victories, finishing Saemapetch Fairtex, Rodlek PK Saenchai, Felipe Lobo, Liam Harrison, and Alaverdi Ramazanov.
His reign came to an end in April 2023 when he lost his title to Jonathan Haggerty, being knocked out in the first round. His struggles continued as he faced Nico Carrillo in December, suffering another knockout in the second round. He returned to form in April 2024, at ONE Friday Fights 58, winning against Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek-U-Thai via unanimous decision.
Despite the disappointing end to his title run, Nong-O made seven successful title defenses between 2018 and 2023, knocking out many of his opponents.
What Next For Nong-O Gaiyanghadao?
Despite facing the inevitable march of time, Nong-O has defied the odds again and again, returning to combat in 2018 after three years away from the sport and continuing to compete at the highest level. His victory over the elite power puncher Kulabdam, even after enduring two brutal knockouts, is evidence that the man from Isaan remains undeterred by setbacks.
As he currently has no new fights booked with ONE Championship, the question remains: how long can this Muay Thai icon continue to defy the aging process and maintain his status as one of the sport’s greatest fighters? Only time will tell, but Nong-O’s legacy is already an indelible part of Muay Thai history.
