Three Thai Athletes Top List of Best ONE Super Series Fighters in 2020
ONE Super Series had a phenomenal year in 2020, with a myriad of intriguing matchups that produced exciting results over the past 12 months, all things considered. To wrap it all up, ONE Championship recently named their five best ONE Super Series fighters in 2020, with the list being topped by three incredible Thai World Champions.
Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon
ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy, ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, and ONE Strawweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao came it at the #1, #2, and #3 spots respectively.
ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Janet “JT” Todd of the United States came in at #4, and ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues entered the list at #5.
Petchmorakot captured the featherweight Muay Thai strap with a February victory over Pongsiri P.K.Saenchai Muaythaigym. He successfully defended the title twice with wins over the legendary Yodsanklai Fairtex and Sweden’s Magnus "Crazy Viking" Andersson months later.
With three big wins in 2020, it was undoubtedly a fantastic year for the 26-year-old star.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao
Rodtang also had a massive 2020 with six fights over the past 12 months, including two bouts under the ONE Super Series banner.
The reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion dominated former ONE World Champions Jonathan “The General” Haggerty and “The Baby Shark” Petchdam Petchyindee Academy, while taking home victories at the prestigious Rajadamnern Stadium and World Siam Stadium.
Last but certainly not least is the legendary Sam-A, who holds both the kickboxing and Muay Thai belts at strawweight.
Sam-A made two appearances in the ONE Circle in 2020. A victory over Australia’s Rocky Ogden in February netted him the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title. He successfully defended that title against Josh Tonna in October, in a fight where he recorded three knockdowns to score an emphatic TKO.
Notably absent from the list is reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, who had just one bout in 2020 -- a third-round knockout victory over compatriot Rodlek P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym.
