Multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Sagetdao “Deadly Star” Petpayathai of Thailand will make his highly-anticipated return to striking action, as he officially joins the ONE Super Series fold after spending the first few years of his ONE Championship career competing in mixed martial arts.
The 33-year-old combat sports veteran made his ONE Championship debut in 2017, stringing together three straight victories over Kelvin Ong, Mahmoud Mohamed, and Jimmy Yabo, before dropping a decision loss to top-rated Ma Jia Wen in 2018.
Sagetdao, who has won World Championships multiple times across Thailand, the United States, China, and Japan, is excited to perform once more in the striking-only realm, with his goal to eventually capture a ONE Super Series World Title.
“I’m very happy that I now have the chance to compete in Muay Thai again after such a long time,” said Sagetdao.
“I really want to be a world champion, same as some of my teammates at Evolve MMA. I also want to showcase Muay Thai to the world and want people to witness the best of ‘The Art of Eight Limbs.’ I want to put together an inspiring performance for people around the world.”
Sagetdao last competed in Muay Thai in 2014, going 2-4 on the year, with his most recent outing a technical knockout loss to Japan’s Tetsuya Yamato. “Deadly Star” has amassed a 162-62-1 record throughout his career, capturing Rajadamnern, Lumpinee, and WBC world titles in the process. He officially retired from Muay Thai competition in 2014, and moved to Singapore to become an instructor at Evolve MMA.
But despite his success, Sagetdao is nervous about making a return to Muay Thai, because he’s been out of the game for nearly seven years.
“I will be a hundred percent ready because I trained very hard. My best weapons will be on full display,” said Sagetdao.
“However, I’m feeling a little concerned because I haven’t competed in Muay Thai for almost seven years. And I’m also a little older now. But of course, I’m planning to bring out my best anyway.”
Sagetdao will step inside the ONE Circle against China’s Zhang “Bamboo Sword” Chunyu at ONE: REIGN OF DYNASTIES II, a previously-recorded event in Singapore set for global broadcast on Friday, 16 October. The bout is a ONE Super Series Muay Thai contest in 4-ounce gloves.
“Deadly Star” feels he has much more experience and strengths than his Chinese counterpart, and eagerly wants to impress fans. More importantly, he wants a resounding victory to make a case for a ONE World Title shot sometime in the near future.
“I have much more experience and skills compared to Zhang, and I want to show that in this fight. But having not fought in Muay Thai for a long time, it might take me a few minutes to get my swing back,” said Sagetdao.
“I always fight to win. That’s why I still do what I do today. I hope one day, I can step up and earn a shot at the World Title. I will definitely put in my best performance in this fight. I’ll give it all my effort.”