What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is an ancient Martial Art that has been practiced for centuries. Muay Thai (also known as ‘The Art Of 8 Limbs’) combines punches, kicks, knees and elbows in an efficient way making it one of the most refined striking Martial Arts. It is practiced across the globe and the techniques used in Muay Thai can be seen in other Martial Arts such as MMA.
In this article we will discuss the top 10 best Nak Muay of all time based on their performances, achievements and general consensus.
So without further ado, LETS GET TO IT!
1. Samart Payakaroon
Widely regarded as the Muahammad Ali of Muay Thai, no list would be complete without Samart Payakaroon at the top!
Samart Payakaroon was born on 05/12/1962 in Chacherngsao, Thailand and started training Muay Thai at just 7 years old.
He moved to Bangkok to pursue his dreams of becoming a World Champion after only a dozen fights and became multiple time Lumpinee Stadium champion amassing over 150 wins in his career.
2. Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn
Dieselnoi (Little Diesel) was born on 27/12/1961 in Tambon Huakoon, Thailand. He began practicing Muay Thai at the age of 13 with his father and brother at Sor Banchongsak training camp.
Dieselnoi was a Lumpinee Stadium champion in 1981 and was involved in some of the greatest fights of all time fighting numerous other Muay Thai legends such as Samart Payakaroon and Sagat Petchyindee also mentioned in this list having over 70 fights in his illustrious career.
3. Thongchai Tor.Silachai
Thongchai Tor.Silachai in was born in Chakkarat, Thailand on 08/02/1971 and started training Muay Thai at the age of 10 under former Lumpinee Stadium champion Medprik Tor.Silachai where he remained loyal for his entire career.
Thongchai Tor.Silachai was a multiple time Lumpinee Stadium champion between 1990 & 1997 and was a Rajadamnern Stadium champion in 2001.
One of Thongchai Tor.Silachai’s most notable wins was his KO victory over Saenchai (also in this list) and he is to this day the only man to KO the Muay Femur legend.
4. Saenchai
Saenchai was born on 30/07/1980 in the Kosum Phisai District, Thailand and began honing his craft at the young age of just 8 years old at the infamous Jocky Gym.
Saenchai is a multiple time World champion and Stadium champion amassing an incredible record with over 370 fights and 320 wins. Saenchai has fought the who’s who of Muay Thai and in over 370 fights has only ever been KO’d once!
5. Buakaw Banchamek
Sombat Banchamek, a.k.a Buakaw Banchamek was born on 08/05/1982 in Ban Song Nong County, Thailand and began not just training, but fighting Muay Thai at the age of 8 years old.
Buakaw has achieved many titles during his career. He is a two time Omnoi Stadium champion, Lumpinee Stadium Toyota Marathon champion, two-time K-1 World MAX champion and 2011 & 2012 Thai Fight tournament champion.
Buakaw truly is a legend of the sport and has had over 275 fights with over 240 wins to his name.
6. Pudpadnoi Worawut
Ponn Ommklin, a.k.a Pudpadnoi Worawut, started Muay Thai at the age of 14 following in the footsteps of his older brother.
Pudpadnoi was known as one of the most dominant fighters of his time holding multiple Lumpinee Stadium titles, facing some of the most feared opponents of his generation with a record of 135 wins and only 15 losses.
7. Sagat Petchyindee
Wirun Phonphimai, a.k.a Sagat Petchyindee, was born in Phimai, Thailand on 30/11/1957. Sagat Petchyindee is also well known for being the fighter that the popular character Sagat in the streetfighter video game series.
During his career Sagat Petchyindee had over 330 fights with a staggering 278 wins to his name, fighting other golden era legends such as Dieselnoi (also mentioned in this list)
8. Somrak Kamsing
Somrak Kamsing was born in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand on 16/01/1973 and began training Muay Thai at just 7 years old.
Somrak fought professionally in both Muay Thai and Boxing including the olympic games in 1996 where he took gold in the Featherweight division.
Somrak made his return to Muay Thai in 2012 and was involved in some of the biggest side bets in Rajadamnern history.
9. Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn
Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn was born on 13/10/1979 in Chaiya, Thailand and he started training at just 8 years old in order to support his family. His uncle Namsak was a well known fighter and he took to Muay Thai like a duck to water.
He trained out of Kiatsingnoi Gym in Bangkok, alongside other golden-era champions such as Pairot, Wangchannoi, and Rattanachai and was a multiple time Lumpinee Stadium champion between 1995 and 2006.
During his career he had 300 fights with an astounding 280 wins and his since transitioned to coaching at Evolve MMA in singapore.
10. Petchboonchu FA Group
Petchboonchu FA Group was born on 08/05/1990 in Udon Thani, Thailand and began training Muay Thai at the age of 7.
Now also a trainer at Evolve MMA in Singapore, Petchboonchu FA Group retired at the young age of just 26 after winning a combined 13 Stadium and Thailand titles in boxing and Muay Thai.
He has fought against many of the other top Muay Thai fighters of his generation and retired with a Muay Thai record of 204 wins, 134 losses and 1 draw.