List of Muay Thai practitioners explained

This is a list of notable Muay Thai practitioners (also known as nak muay).

Thai

Current

• Saenchai – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in four weight divisions while mostly fighting larger opponents. He has only been knocked out once in his entire fighting career. He is considered by many to be the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighter, and is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time.^{[1] [2] [3]} He is also a professional boxer and was PABA Featherweight interim champion.
• Nong-O Gaiyanghadao – former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion with four title defenses; was Lumpinee Stadium champion in four weight divisions^[4]
• Rodtang Jitmuangnon – ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion with three title defenses;^[5] known for his iron chin
• Sam-A Gaiyanghadao – ONE Champion in both Muay Thai and Kickboxing; was Lumpinee Stadium champion in two weight divisions^[6]
• Phetmorakot Petchyindee Academy – ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion; was Lumpinee Stadium champion in two weight divisions^[7]

Former

• Samart Payakaroon – considered by many to be the greatest Muay Thai fighter of all time, becoming Lumpinee Stadium champion in four different weight divisions from 1980 to 1981, as well as a WBC world champion in boxing at the super bantamweight class in 1986.^[8] He is the younger brother of Kongtoranee Payakaroon.
• Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn – was Lumpinee Stadium champion in the lightweight division. In 1982, he defeated Samart Payakaroon via decision. During his four-year reign as champion he was undefeated and was forced to retire as there was nobody in the weight division left to contest his position. He is considered to be the Greatest Muay Khao (knee fighter) of all time.^[9]
• Vicharnnoi Porntawee – was champion in both the Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums. Faced many strong opponents and holds two victories over Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn.^[10]
• Pudpadnoi Worawut – nicknamed 'The Golden Leg', was one of the most dominant fighters of the 1970s where he won three Lumpinee Stadium titles at three different weight classes.^[11]
• Apidej Sit-Hirun – was a Lumpinee Stadium champion. He is considered the hardest kicker in Muay Thai history. He was crowned "Fighter of the Century" by Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand and was the first nak muay to be given his own display at the Thai National Museum.^{[12] [13]}
• Kongtoranee Payakaroon – older brother of Samart Payakaroon and won the Lumpinee Stadium title in five different weight divisions. He also had a professional boxing career in the Super flyweight division where his record was 12–2 and fought twice for a title. The first time he fought Gilberto Román for the WBC Super flyweight title and the second time he fought against fellow Thai Boxer, Khaosai Galaxy for the WBA Super flyweight title.^[14]
• Chamuekpet Hapalang – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in four different weight divisions; southpaw stance; best known for his powerful and precise knee strikes for which he is nicknamed "Computer Knee Striker";^[15] also competed as a professional boxer where he was PABA champion at 126 lbs
• Thongchai Tor.Silachai – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in four different weight divisions; in 1996, he became the only person to have knocked out Saenchai in a professional bout
• Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in three different weight divisions; had one of the longest reigns as champion where he was undefeated in the 135 lbs division 2000–2006;^[16] holds one of the highest winning percentages (95% wins in 300 fights)
• Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth – was Lumpinee Stadium champion in the Junior lightweight division; held the belt for six consecutive years^[17]
• Sagat Petchyindee – three time Lumpinee Stadium champion;^[18] also a professional boxer with a record of 12–2 and fought Wilfredo Gómez in 1978 for the WBC super bantamweight title;^[19] considered to be the inspiration for the character Sagat in the Street Fighter video game series^{[20] [21]}
• Kaensak Sor.Ploenjit – was Lumpinee Stadium champion in the flyweight division; fought in the period of the late 80s to early 90s that was considered to be the golden era of Muay Thai where he faced many strong opponents;Muay Thai Fighter of the Year in 1989–1990; one of the most popular fighters of his generation^{[22] [23]}

Non-Thai

• Ramon Dekkers – Dutch kickboxer who won multiple world titles in Muay Thai; considered by many to be the best foreign fighter to fight in Thailand where he faced many strong opponents including Coban Lookchaomaesaitong^{[24] [25]}
• Jordan Lutalo Evora – Dutch-Ugandese kickboxer
• Toshio Fujiwara – Japanese kickboxer who became the first non-Thai fighter to win a Muay Thai title in Thailand; in 1978 he won the title at the Rajadamnern Stadium in the lightweight division^[26]
• Morad Sari – French-Algerian kickboxer who the first non-Thai fighter to become a Lumpinee Stadium champion; won the title in 1999 at the lightweight division^[27]
• Damien Alamos – French kickboxer who became Lumpinee Stadium champion in 2012 in the 63.5 kg (140 lbs) division and was the first non-Thai fighter to defend it^[28]
• John Wayne Parr – Australian kickboxer who has won multiple world titles in Muay Thai; 2001 Australian Boxing Middleweight Champion^[29]
• Andrei Kulebin – Belarusian kickboxer who has won multiple world titles in Muay Thai at amateur and professional levels^[30]
• Liam Harrison – English Muay Thai fighter who has won multiple world titles
• Youssef Boughanem – Moroccan-Belgian kickboxer who was champion at both Lumpinee Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium at the 160 lbs weight division^[31]
• Rafi Bohic – French Muay Thai fighter who became Lumpinee Stadium Welterweight Champion in 2017 and has defended the title four times
• Jimmy Vienot – French Muay Thai fighter who was Lumpinee Stadium 160 lbs champion in 2019
• Andy Howson – Uk Muay Thai fighter WBC,Wako, ISka, WMC world champion
• Jean-Charles Skarbowsky – French Muay Thai fighter who became 3-time European champion
• Dida Diafat – Algerian – French Muay Thai fighter who has won world title in Las Vegas versus Ramon Dekkers
• Nathan Corbett – Australian Muay Thai fighter who has won multiple world title
• Fabio Siciliani – Italian Muay Thai fighter WAKO world champion
• Dany Bill – Cameroonian former kickboxer and seven-time Muay Thai World Champion
• Alexey Ignashov – Belarus former kickboxer and multiple Muay Thai World Champion
• Mehdi Zatout – ISKA, WMC, WBC Diamond and World Champion
• Sajad Sattari – WBC World Champion
• Jonathan Haggerty – ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Champion
• Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu – WBC World Champion
• Paulo Da Silva – portuguese WBC World Champion

Boxing

• Khaosai Galaxy – was a Muay Thai fighter; switched to boxing and became WBA super flyweight champion with 19 defenses in seven years (1984–1991); with a record of 47–1, he is listed No. 19 on Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time and named him the 43rd greatest fighter of the past 80 years in 2002^[32]
• Somluck Kamsing – ranked No. 1 in the Lumpinee Stadium at the 57 kg (126 lbs) weight division and defeated multiple champions; switched to boxing^[33] He won Gold in Boxing at the 1996 Summer Olympics in the featherweight division, which made him the first Thai athlete to win Gold at the Olympics^[34]
• Dhawee Umponmaha – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in the 57 kg (126 lbs) division; was one of the few fighters to defeat Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn in a professional bout; later moved to boxing where he was a silver medalist in boxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the Light welterweight division^[35]
• Arkhom Chenglai – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in the 63.5 kg (140 lbs) division; won bronze medal in Boxing at the 1992 Summer Olympics
• Veeraphol Sahaprom – WBC and WBA Bantamweight Champion with 14 title defenses; Rajadamnern Stadium champion in three weight divisions
• Saensak Muangsurin – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in the 63.5 kg (140 lbs) division; WBC light welterweight champion, setting a world record by winning a world title in his third professional fight; Thailand's heaviest world boxing champion to date
• Yokthai Sithoar – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in the 52 kg (115 lbs) division. Was WBA super flyweight (115 lb) world champion in the late 90s
• Amnat Ruenroeng – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in the Flyweight division; held IBF flyweight title from 2014 to 2016
• Wanheng Menayothin – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in the 48 kg (105 lbs) division; held WBC strawweight title from 2014 to 2020
• Knockout CP Freshmart – won the Lumpinee Stadium title in the 48 kg (105 lbs) division; has held the WBA (Super) minimumweight title since 2016

Kickboxing

• Buakaw Banchamek – two-time K-1 World MAX champion and two-time runner up as well as a former #1-ranked fighter in Lumpinee Stadium^[36]
• Giorgio Petrosyan – 2019 ONE Kickboxing Featherweight World Grand Prix Champion and two-time K-1 World MAX champion^[37]
• Kaew Fairtex – former K-1 Super Lightweight Champion with two title defenses and three time K-1 World GP -65 kg World Tournament Champion; was Lumpinee Stadium champion in two weight divisions.^[38]
• Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong – Glory Lightweight Champion with six title defenses; Lumpinee Stadium Welterweight Champion in 2014^[39]
• Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9 – Glory Featherweight Champion with four title defenses^[40]
• Capitan Petchyindee Academy – former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion; Lumpinee Stadium Super Welterweight Champion in 2019^[41]
• Gonnapar Weerasakreck – former K-1 Lightweight champion and former Krush Lightweight champion with three title defenses^{[42] [43]}
• Superbon Banchamek – One Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion and currently rated the No. 1 Pound for pound kickboxer in the world
• Artem Vakhitov – two time Glory Light Heavyweight Champion and multiple time gold medalist at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships
• Artem Levin – former Glory Middleweight Champion and multiple time gold medalist at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships
• Marat Grigorian – former Glory Lightweight Champion
• Harut Grigorian – former Glory Welterweight Champion
• Mohamed Kamal – Moroccan fighter

Mixed martial arts

The following fighters are primarily known for their use of Muay Thai in MMA bouts.

• Georges Saint-Pierre - former UFC Welterweight Champion and actor
• Anderson Silva – former UFC Middleweight Champion with the highest number of title defenses (10)^[44]
• Lyoto Machida - former UFC Champion and karateka
• José Aldo – former UFC Featherweight Champion with the highest number of title defenses (7)^[45]
• Valentina Shevchenko – former UFC Women's Flyweight Champion with the highest number of title defenses (7); multiple time gold medalist at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships^[46]
• Joanna Jędrzejczyk – former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion with the highest number of title defenses (5); multiple time gold medalist at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships^[47]
• Cris Cyborg – current Bellator Women's Featherweight champion and former UFC Women's Featherweight champion
• Maurício Rua – former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Champion
• Wanderlei Silva – former PRIDE Middleweight Champion and the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion
• Alistair Overeem – former Strikeforce Heavyweight champion and winner of the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final
• Jan Błachowicz – former UFC Light Heavyweight champion; 2008 gold medalist at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships
• Jiří Procházka – former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and former Rizin FC Light Heavyweight champion; 2011 Czech National Champion in Muay Thai
• Ciryl Gane – former interim UFC Heavyweight champion and undefeated Muay Thai fighter
• Rafael Cordeiro – three time Brazilian national Muay Thai champion; was striking coach at the Chute Boxe Academy and Kings MMA where he trained multiple MMA world champions including Anderson Silva, Cris Cyborg, Maurício Rua and Wanderlei Silva

Entertainment

• Tony Jaa – Thai martial artist, actor, action choreographer, stuntman, director, traceur and former Buddhist monk^[48]
• Donnie Yen - Chinese actor and martial artist

Notes and References

1. Web site: Is Saenchai the Muay Thai GOAT?. January 14, 2021. muaythaicitizen.com. September 30, 2020.
2. Web site: Saenchai: The Greatest Muay Thai Legend Of All Time!. January 14, 2021. martialtribes.com. March 19, 2019.
3. Web site: Zivanovic. Tomislav. Why Saenchai is The Best Muay Thai Fighter of All Time. January 14, 2021. middleeasy.com. March 26, 2020.
4. Web site: Nong-O Gaiyanghadao. July 2, 2021. ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. March 29, 2018 . en-US.
5. Web site: August 2, 2019. Rodtang Jitmuangnon Crowned ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. July 2, 2021. ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. en-US.
6. Web site: Sam-A Gaiyanghadao. July 2, 2021. ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. January 14, 2018 . en-US.
7. Web site: Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy. July 2, 2021. ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. June 11, 2018 . en-US.
8. Web site: Randynell . Pilares. August 15, 2020. Is Samart Payakaroon The Greatest Of All Time?. July 2, 2021. Muay Thai Citizen. en-US.
9. Web site: March 30, 2019. Assessing The Greats: What Made Dieselnoi So Tough? . July 2, 2021. evolve-vacation.com. en-US.
10. Web site: Vicharnnoi Porntawee: Legacy of The Immortal Boxer. September 6, 2021. The Fight Site. April 30, 2020 . en-US.
11. Web site: Pud Pad Noy Worawoot: The "Golden Leg" of Muay Thai. September 6, 2021. www.vice.com. July 19, 2017 . en.
12. Web site: Apidej Sit-Hirun. July 2, 2021. www.ikfkickboxing.com.
13. Web site: Apidej Sit Hurun: The Hardest Kick in the History of Muay Thai. July 2, 2021. www.vice.com. April 19, 2017 . en.
14. Web site: Kongtoranee Payakaroon. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com. July 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182728/https://www.siamfightmag.com/en/muaythai-en/interviews-muaythai-en/thai-boxers-en/281-kongtoranee-payakaroon. dead.
15. Web site: September 9, 2013. th:ฉมวกเพชร ห้าพลัง-พ่อบานไม่รู้โรย. http://www.sportclassic.in.th/%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99/%E0%B8%89%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%A3-%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87-%E0%B8%9E%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%84/. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20171104220448/http://www.sportclassic.in.th/%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99/%E0%B8%89%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%A3-%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87-%E0%B8%9E%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%84/. November 4, 2017. November 5, 2017. Sportclassic. thai.
16. Web site: April 3, 2017. Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn. July 2, 2021. Siam Fight Mag. en-GB.
17. Web site: Namkabuan Nongkee Pahuyuth . July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com.
18. Web site: The Muay That Academy Petchyindee Camp. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com.
19. Web site: Sagat Petchyindee. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com. July 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190451/http://www.siamfightmag.com/en/muaythai-en/interviews-muaythai-en/thai-boxers-en/265-sagat-petchyindee. dead.
20. Web site: Street fighter: Muay Thai star Sagat's rise to fame. July 5, 2017. Bangkok Post.
21. Web site: Serrels. Mark. Street Fighter's Sagat Was Based On A Real Life Fighter. He Was Badass.. February 6, 2015. July 5, 2017. Kotaku.
22. Web site: Kaensak. July 2, 2021. www.kaensakmuaythaigym.com.
23. Web site: Kaensak Sor Ploenchit. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com. February 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210208170813/https://www.siamfightmag.com/en/muaythai-en/interviews-muaythai-en/thai-boxers-en/828-kaensak-sor-ploenchit. dead.
24. Web site: Kay. March 3, 2021. Remembering Ramon Dekkers. July 2, 2021. Muay Thai Citizen. en-US.
25. Web site: Kay. August 2, 2020. Best Foreign Muay Thai Fighters (Non-Thai). July 2, 2021. Muay Thai Citizen. en-US.
26. Web site: The Legend Toshio Fujiwara, The Man in 99 KO!. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com.
27. Web site: Mourad Sari. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com.
28. Web site: January 28, 2014. Fighter Profile: Damien Alamos. July 2, 2021. Muay Thai Pros. en-US.
29. Web site: John Wayne Parr Boonchu Muay Thai Gym Gold Coast. March 26, 2010 . July 2, 2021. en-US.
30. Web site: ANDREI KULEBIN (BELARUS). July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com. November 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118205614/http://www.siamfightmag.com/en/muaythai-en/interviews-muaythai-en/foreign-boxers-en/396-andrei-kulebin-belarus. dead.
31. Web site: FOREIGN CHAMPIONS AND THE BELT OF LUMPINEE. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com.
32. Web site: Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years . July 2, 2021 . LiveAbout . en.
33. Web site: Smrak Khamsing. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com.
34. Web site: The Slick Style of Somluck Kamsing. July 2, 2021. www.muay-thai-guy.com. en.
35. Web site: Once Upon a Time, Muay Thai's Greatest Champions! Chapter III (Year 80). July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com. September 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210909210742/http://www.siamfightmag.com/en/muaythai-en/reports-en/others-reports-muaythai-en/1297-once-upon-a-time-muay-thai-s-greatest-champions-chapter-iii-year-80. dead.
36. Web site: Buakaw Banchamek. July 2, 2021. www.siamfightmag.com.
37. Web site: Giorgio "The Doctor" Petrosyan. July 2, 2021. ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. March 29, 2018 . en-US.
38. Web site: Kaew Fairtex. July 2, 2021. Muaythaitv. en-US.
39. Web site: Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. Glory.
40. Web site: Petch. Glory.
41. Web site: Capitan Petchyindee Academy. July 2, 2021. ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. August 17, 2020 . en-US.
42. Web site: Ｋ１ウィラサクレック「若い選手に」ベルト返上 . nikkansports.com . June 3, 2021. ja.
43. Web site: Gonnapar Weerasakreck claims lightweight title from Kenta Hayashi at K-1 World Grand Prix . asianmma.com . December 14, 2020 . December 21, 2020.
44. Web site: Payne. Johny. January 8, 2021. How many title defenses does Anderson Silva have?. July 2, 2021. www.sportskeeda.com. en-us.
45. Web site: UFC champions history: Featherweight. July 2, 2021. Newsday. en.
46. Web site: Valentina Shevchenko, Martial Art Superstar. July 2, 2021. International Federation of Muaythai Associations. en-US.
47. Web site: Joanna Jędrzejczyk: From IFMA Champion to Global Superstar. July 2, 2021. International Federation of Muaythai Associations. en-US.
48. Web site: June 1, 2010. Tony Jaa Taking Time Off To Be A Buddhist Monk. July 2, 2021. CINEMABLEND.