Ryan Sheehan Wants To Lead Ireland’s Muay Thai Charge At ONE Friday Fights 9

Ireland’s history in combat sports has seen multiple successful boxers and mixed martial arts in its time. While Steve Collins and Conor McGregor may have led the way in their respective disciplines, Cork’s Ryan Sheehan wants to be the frontrunner for Muay Thai on the Emerald Isle.

The latest step on that path will come at ONE Friday Fight 9 on 17th March, when Sheehan makes his ONE Championship debut against legendary Thai Sam-A Gaiyanghadao at the illustrious Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

With 37 fights to his name, “The Avenger” feels this opportunity has been a long time coming. And though a debut victory in ONE is at the forefront of his mind, bringing a spotlight to the art of eight limbs back home is just as important for the 26-9 battler.

“To be honest, I feel like I deserve to be here, and I deserve to be on a big platform. I want to be able to lead Ireland. I want them to say that ‘Ryan Sheehan did it for Ireland. He’s the winner for the country,’” Sheehan said. 

“I want to show that Ireland is coming up and that we’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in Muay Thai. I want to say that I kind of started that trend.”

For the Irishman, getting the nod to make his debut in ONE was a big moment in itself. But being offered the chance to face a Thai veteran in Sam-A goes above and beyond his wildest expectations. 

“The Avenger” is beaming with excitement ahead of Friday’s tussle, and he has nothing but positive things to say about the man he has looked up to throughout his career.

“I was actually shaking with excitement,” Sheehan said. “I had missed Matt and his phone calls. When he rings me, it’s something important. He rang me and said, ‘We’ve got a chance to work with ONE. What’s the story?’ 

“Automatically, I said yes before we were even told who we were fighting. Then they said I’m going to be fighting Sam-A. My reaction was like, ‘this is the pinnacle of the sport.’ I’ve looked up to him, and I’ve had so much respect for Sam-A for years. I keep telling people, ‘Sam-A is one of the greatest fighters of our time.’ 

“He’s wicked fast. He’s skillful. He’s everything you would want in a Thai boxer. This will be the biggest moment of my career and probably one of the proudest moments too.”

Despite competing against one of his combat sports idols, Sheehan will not let his respect for the 39-year-old stand in his way of victory in Bangkok. 

He has amassed eight knockouts in his career and carries a two-fight winning streak into the contest. 

The 25-year-old plans to use that momentum to bring a slugfest to Lumpinee Stadium.

“I’m bringing a war. I don’t like to take a step back. That’s not my style. I’m always the guy who is pressing forward because I’ve got a big gas tank. I’m very determined to go into a war,” Sheehan stated.

“I’m prepared to get smashed off, and I don’t mind getting one or two smacks in the face just to land a shot. The crowd should be expecting an entertaining fight.”