Anyone who has trained with me knows that I like to use fights/fighters as genuine examples of the techniques, strategies, and ideas that I'm trying to convey while coaching. This has led to questions regarding what fighters I recommend watching? I've compiled a short list of fighters that I believe everyone who is serious about learning MuayThai should become familiar with.
In no particular order:
Yodsanklai Fairtex "The Computer Wizard". He's one of Thailand's best in their heavier weight classes. A very precise southpaw fighter with great head motion and a very heavy kick.
Saenchai Sor.Kingstar (now called Saenchai Sinbi MuayThai). He is considered by most to be Thailand's best pound-for-pound fighter. He is so talented that he is one of the fighters who can pull off “trick” moves successfully in the ring. His signature move is a hand-stand kick.
Buakaw Por.Pramuk (fights a lot of K-1 matches) used to be ranked #2 in Thailand in his weight class and was unable to fight for #1 because his gym-mate was the title holder. I really like his style a lot because there are so many similarities to the style I was taught.
John Wayne Parr (of Austrailia). He is one of the most accomplished farangs in the sport. He has fought some of Thailands best, including Yodsanklai and Buakaw. JWP is retiring from fighting MuayThai later this year.
Saenchai Sor.Kingstar (now called Saenchai Sinbi MuayThai). He is considered by most to be Thailand's best pound-for-pound fighter. He is so talented that he is one of the fighters who can pull off “trick” moves successfully in the ring. His signature move is a hand-stand kick.
Buakaw Por.Pramuk (fights a lot of K-1 matches) used to be ranked #2 in Thailand in his weight class and was unable to fight for #1 because his gym-mate was the title holder. I really like his style a lot because there are so many similarities to the style I was taught.
John Wayne Parr (of Austrailia). He is one of the most accomplished farangs in the sport. He has fought some of Thailands best, including Yodsanklai and Buakaw. JWP is retiring from fighting MuayThai later this year.
Liam Harrison of the UK is another extremely talented “farang” fighter who is worth looking up!
Anuwat Kaewsamrit. One of the things in particular that makes Anuwat a fighter to watch is that he wins MuayThai fights with boxing! When MuayThai is scored properly, boxing ‘typically’ does not score highly, if at all. A fighter must use his hands to devastating effect in MuayThai to win consistently. Anuwat does just that and has the belts to prove it!
Rambaa "M16" Somdete is a real treat to watch. He was such an amazing fighter. He was extremely talented, but took a lot of risks which made for an exciting fight every time he entered the ring. I can almost guarentee that you will NEVER see another MuayThai fighter that is anywhere near as entertaining!
Samart Payakaroon. This guy was arguably the best MuayThai fighter in the history of the sport. An excellent tactician, he could beat you in so many different ways. He was also a WBC Boxing Champion.
Diesel Noi. This guy is one of the most dominating one-trick ponies in the history of the universe! This guy is the reason why the clinch game in Muay Thai became such a specialized subset of techiniques. He ended his career with 16 straight knockouts with his clinch knees. No one would fight him after that and he was forced into an early retirement.
Rambaa "M16" Somdete is a real treat to watch. He was such an amazing fighter. He was extremely talented, but took a lot of risks which made for an exciting fight every time he entered the ring. I can almost guarentee that you will NEVER see another MuayThai fighter that is anywhere near as entertaining!
Samart Payakaroon. This guy was arguably the best MuayThai fighter in the history of the sport. An excellent tactician, he could beat you in so many different ways. He was also a WBC Boxing Champion.
Diesel Noi. This guy is one of the most dominating one-trick ponies in the history of the universe! This guy is the reason why the clinch game in Muay Thai became such a specialized subset of techiniques. He ended his career with 16 straight knockouts with his clinch knees. No one would fight him after that and he was forced into an early retirement.
Samson Esarn (Samson Noi). It’s hard to find clips of this guy. He was a ferocious boxer with a relentless clinch. He was one of my favorite fighters. After MuayThai, he went onto to become an undefeated boxing champion (WBC?)
Kaensak Sor.Plonjit was called “Mr. 180 IQ” because he was such a smart fighter. He won the Lumpini and Radjadamnern Stadium titles twice each, and was the MuayThai fighter of the year twice. I've actually had the chance to train with him and learned some of my favorite clinch tricks from him.
Ramon Dekker. One of Holland’s most successful MuayThai fighters. This guy was the little engine that could! He fought with some of Thailand’s best when MuayThai was at its best! (see also: Rob Kaman)
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brooks, great list.
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